James Gaffigan, conductor
Alison Moritz, director
Hope Boykin, choreographer
Will Liverman, Celebrant*
Heritage Signature Chorale
Stanley J. Thurston, Artistic Director
Children’s Chorus of Washington
Margaret Nomura Clark, Artistic Director
Leonard Bernstein: MASS
As the concluding event of Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary celebration, Leonard Bernstein’s MASS returns 51 years after its world premiere at the Center’s 1971 opening gala. Directed by Alison Moritz, this monumental work returns to the Concert Hall in a dynamic staging and features the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Gaffigan, 2020 Marian Anderson Award winner Will Liverman as the Celebrant, and choreography by Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor for Dance Education Hope Boykin.
Originally commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for the opening of the Kennedy Center in 1971, MASS served, according to Bernstein in a program note, as a “reaffirmation of faith.”
*NSO subscription debut
NSO ForeWords
Sat., Sep. 17 at 7 p.m. and Sun., Sep. 18 at 2 p.m.
Before your concert, join us in the Concert Hall for fascinating stories behind the music led by Jamie Bernstein. Each ForeWords lasts 30 minutes and is free and open to the public. Look for even more of these offerings throughout the season!
