Jan 27
Cynthia Erivo, Orville Peck (& the Shark from 'Jaws') Celebrate Keith Lockhart's 30 Years with the Boston Pops this Spring
READ TIME: 10 MIN.
Something "Wicked" this way comes! The opening night concert with Grammy®, Emmy®, Tony®-Winning and 2025 Oscar®-nominated star of "Wicked," Cynthia Erivo,
Don't go near the water: As "Jaws" celebrates its 50th anniversary, a presentation of the film with the score played live under Lockhart's direction.
"Letting It Go." A second film screening, with "Disney's Frozen in Concert," with its award-winning score played by the Pops.
Celebrating Keith! A one-of-a-kind 30th anniversary concert featuring Michael Feinstein, Mandy Gonzalez, Jason Danieley, and other favorite guest artists from his tenure.
And John Williams! Concerts celebrating Pops Conductor Laureate John Williams and his film music with "Star Wars: The Story in Music" and "John Williams' Playlist," curated by Williams and led by Lockhart.
An Auspicious Debut! Musical storyteller and internet phenomenon Cody Fry Making his Pops Debut Along with Winners of this Year's Fidelity Young Artists Competition.
Out There, Somewhere.. "Music of the Cosmos," a multimedia program, exploring the intersection of music, science, and science fiction.
Remembering Jerry. The Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration, commemorating 60 years of the Grateful Dead and Garcia's enduring legacy featuring the Pops and an all-star band.
More Pride! Pride Night returns with special guest, queer country music sensation Orville Peck.
Season-ending Favorite. Traditional Season-Closer Gospel Night with the Soul-Stirring Music of Husband-and-Wife Duo of GRAMMY® Winner Tamela Mann and David Mann.
Celebrating Keith Lockhart
When asked about his 30-year tenure with the Pops, Keith Lockhart said:
"I'm thrilled and humbled to have reached my 30th anniversary season as conductor of the one-and-only Boston Pops."
"Three decades ago, when I started as Boston Pops conductor, I felt a deep sense of responsibility following in the footsteps of such legendary figures as John Williams and Arthur Fiedler. I knew I had a lot to live up to. I hope that during my tenure the Boston Pops has continued to deliver the singular brand of artistry and entertainment that have made it both an iconic Boston institution and a nationally beloved ensemble as America's Orchestra.™
"Our upcoming season aims to demonstrate our continued commitment to bringing our audiences the very best of what they know and love about the Boston Pops, while also introducing innovative programs and new artists. The Boston Pops must always keep looking forward, ensuring programs that are fresh and exciting for our dedicated fans, and inspiring new fans through an amazing variety of musical offerings.
"Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for the extraordinary musicianship of the Boston Pops, the incredible support of the staff and organizational leadership, the unwavering dedication of our audiences, and the steady, heartwarming support of the Boston community. Boston has always embraced me and made me feel like a meaningful part of the fabric of this amazing city we all call home – I feel it whenever I step onto the podium, whether it be in Symphony Hall, Tanglewood, or the Hatch Schell for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.
"We are wholeheartedly committed to our ongoing mission to inspire music lovers far and wide to experience the singular music-making of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Here's to a wildly good time at the Boston Pops in 2025!"
A Season that's Defying Gravity
The May 8 Opening Night concert recognizes Keith Lockhart's milestone anniversary with very special guest "Wicked" film star Cynthia Erivo, who brings her powerhouse voice and dazzling talent to the celebration. A GRAMMY®, Emmy and Tony® award winner ("The Color Purple") – as well as a three-time Oscar® nominee (in "Wicked" this year for Best Actress and in 2019 in "Harriet" for Best Actress and Best Original Song) – Erivo makes her Pops debut performing a captivating array of songs from a wide range of songwriters and composers.
During Lockhart's tenure, the Pops has been at the forefront of live performances of full film scores accompanying screenings of beloved Hollywood classics, including recent performances of "Jurassic Park," Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
The orchestra's popular film nights continue May 9 and 10 with "Jaws In Concert." In time for the film's 50th anniversary, the Pops and Keith Lockhart will present live orchestral accompaniment of Pops Conductor Laureate John Williams' Oscar®-winning score to the original 1975 Steven Spielberg summer blockbuster. Join scientists from the New England Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life for a discussion about the influence of the film Jaws on ocean conservation and to learn more about sharks in New England waters.
On May 15, Keith Lockhart returns to the podium for a special one-night-only program of "Star Wars: The Story in Music," which features John Williams' music from all nine "Star Wars" films, with accompanying narration written by Lockhart and delivered by acclaimed Boston actor Jeremiah Kissel. A must for all Star Wars fans and film music aficionados, the concert tracks Williams' development as a film composer, while also surveying the sprawling saga and unforgettable characters of "Star Wars."
Following last spring's screenings of Disney's "Encanto in Concert," this spring's season offers another family-friendly selection of Disney's "Frozen in Concert" with composer Christophe Beck's GRAMMY®-nominated score performed live to the film. The concerts will be led by Lockhart on May 24 and 31. The film and its multi-Platinum soundtrack feature eight songs written by Academy Award®, Emmy®, and GRAMMY ®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, including the Oscar® and GRAMMY®-winning song "Let It Go" performed by Idina Menzel. The film received the 2014 Academy Award ® for Best Animated Feature.
On May 29 and 31, Keith Lockhart leads "John Williams' Playlist," curated by Williams himself, a sure-to-please program that brings favorite film scores to life, from timeless classics to modern masterpieces to William's own inimitable scores and those of other legendary Hollywood composers.
In his Pops debut, singer-songwriter, producer, and arranger Cody Fry brings his lush, cinematic orchestrations and masterful storytelling to the Symphony Hall stage on May 28. Fry first gained national attention on American Idol and has since been nominated for two GRAMMYs for his orchestral arrangements of "Eleanor Rigby" and "The Sound of Silence" and garnered hundreds of millions of streams. The concert also spotlights winners of Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition. Now in its 17th year, this competition embodies Keith's support of music education and cultivation of young talent. Always a highlight of the season, these talented young musicians – chosen from high-school entrants across Massachusetts – receive mentoring from Lockhart and Fry, culminating in their first performances at Symphony Hall. Applications to enter this year's competition are open until March 3
Under Lockhart's tenure, seven astronauts have graced the Symphony Hall stage as narrators or speakers. In that same spirit, the new program Music of the Cosmos (on May 23 and 24) invites audiences to drift among the stars and traverse the vast reaches of the universe with the Boston Pops. This multimedia program explores the intersection of music, science, and science fiction through fascinating imagery and thematic repertoire. Developed in partnership with the Museum of Science and its Center for Space Sciences, the program will feature a special guest narrator alongside Lockhart.
The Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration will make its return to Symphony Hall with two electrifying performances (June 3 and 4). The program features an all-star lineup including keyboardist and Jerry Garcia Band member Melvin Seals; singer and Jerry Garcia Band member Jacklyn LaBranch; bassist, Dead & Company and Allman Brothers Band member Oteil Burbridge; guitarist and Joe Russo's Almost Dead member Tom Hamilton Jr., and drummer John Morgan Kimock.
June 5's Pride Night with Orville Peck kicks off to Boston Pride month, an annual citywide celebration for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Last year's inaugural Pride Night starred Thorgy Thor of "RuPaul's Drag Race," who amazed the audience with skills as a classical violinist and a hilarious advocate of all things drag. This year's guest queer superstar Orville Peck whose vocals brings to mind Johnny Cash, but whose style, which includes nearly always being masked, is uniquely his own. He has said that his wearing of a mask is out of love of The Lone Ranger. The GLAAD media award winner keeps expanding his horizons – just prior to Pride Night, he will be making his debut as the Emcee in the current (and very in-your-face) revival of "Cabaret" on Broadway.
An event some 30 years in the making takes place on June 6 when an array of celebrities and guest performers including Michael Feinstein and Mandy Gonzalez. The evening will be staged by award-winning director Jason Danieley of Broadway's "Pretty Woman" and "Curtains," who has worked with Lockhart on the hugely successful concert performance of "Ragtime" two seasons the Pops looks back at Keith's three decades with the Pops and celebrates with the music of his favorite American composer, George Gershwin, among other selections. Video tributes and archival film, interspersed during the concert, promise a memorable night of musicmaking.
Returning for its 31st year on June 7, Gospel Night brings GRAMMY®-winner Tamela Mann and award-winning singer, actor and comedian David Mann for their Pops debut with conductor Charles Floyd and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir. The Manns helped shape the sound of gospel music in the '90s, bringing it to mainstream audiences, and have become iconic, beloved characters in the Tyler Perry franchise.
How to Purchase Tickets
Tickets for the Boston Pops' spring season at Symphony Hall are available at bostonpops.org or 617-266-1200 beginning on Tuesday, February 4 at 10 a.m.
All performances start at 7:30 p.m., except for the 2:30 p.m. matinee performances of Disney's "Frozen in Concert" (May 24 & 31).
Pops concerts offer cabaret-style seating on the orchestra floor level with food and beverage service at the tables. Balcony seating is also available. Click here to view a Pops-style seating chart.
Groups of 20 or more may receive up to 10% off regular ticket prices and waived handling fees. Please call the Group Sales Office at 800-933-4255 for more details.