Gisèle Ben-Dor, the esteemed Conductor Emerita of Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, is set to lead the opening concert of the 2025-26 season, titled Sweet Love, Wild Dance, on Sunday, September 21st, at the historic Sanders Theatre in Cambridge.
This concert marks a significant celebration of Ben-Dor’s 25 years of contributions to Pro Arte, an orchestra known for its commitment to chamber music.
The season will feature a total of four concerts on the Ensemble Series, complemented by an intimate Salon Series, offering diverse musical experiences throughout the year.
The opening concert, Sweet Love, Wild Dance, begins with the dramatic overture of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, followed by his Piano Concerto No. 17.
Eighteen-year-old pianist Seokyoung (Sean) Hong, who gained recognition as the winner of the prestigious Cliburn International Junior Competition at just 15 years old, will be featured as the soloist.
The program continues with a vibrant ballet, Estancia, by composer Alberto Ginastera, narrated by acclaimed baritone Marcelo Guzzo.
The story told through Estancia centers on a city boy who falls in love with a rancher’s daughter in a single day, highlighting the expressive power of music and narrative.
Ben-Dor’s impressive credentials include her tenure as Music Director of Pro Arte from 1991 to 2000 and her ongoing collaboration with the orchestra over the last quarter-century.
She has guest conducted several prestigious ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New World Symphony.
Her contributions to music were recognized by the Carnegie Foundation, which honored her as “A Great Immigrant and a Great American.”
In addition to her role with Pro Arte, Ben-Dor currently serves as Conductor Laureate of the Santa Barbara Symphony.
Seokyoung Hong’s musical journey began at an early age when he started playing the piano at only five years old, quickly demonstrating extraordinary talent.
He honed his skills at the Seoul Art Center Prodigy Academy and Yewon School, Korea’s most reputable art institution, before moving to the United States for further studies at the Walnut Hill School in Natick.
Hong will be starting his freshman year this year at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he continues to develop his artistic abilities.
Marcelo Guzzo, known for his remarkable performances in leading operatic roles worldwide, will bring his commanding presence to the concert.
He has been praised for his “magnificent voice, magnetic stage presence, and authentic charm,” notably in a filmed version of Puccini’s Fedora.
Looking ahead, Pro Arte’s 2025-26 season continues with Uncommon Gems on November 2, featuring Music Director Sarah Ioannides.
This concert will shine a light on rarely heard works, including Béla Bartók’s Roumanian Folk Dances, along with compositions by Elfrida Andrée, Copland, and Poulenc.
In January, Conner Gray Covington will lead A Musical Menagerie, a program designed for families.
This concert will include a variety of pieces such as Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, ensuring an engaging experience for all ages.
Finally, on April 12, 2026, Paul Polivnik returns to conduct Signs of Life, a performance focused on string orchestra pieces, including works by Dvořák, Shostakovich, Hailstork, and Elgar.
With a dynamic season lined up, audiences can look forward to an array of musical offerings from Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.
image source from：broadwayworld
