New World THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE David Amado, conductor Lura Johnson, piano Friday, January 25, 2013 / 7:30 p.m.  Sunday, January 27, 2013 / 2:00 p.m.  Ticket holders are invited to a pre-concert talk led by David Amado held in the Wesler Room at The Grand Opera House one hour prior to each performance. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PROGRAM NOTES

Repertoire: Humperdinck: Prelude to Hänsel und Gretel Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor for Piano and Orchestra, op. 1 Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, op. 95, E-minor "From the New World" From the pen of Maestro Amado: The DSO comes back to life with a concert featuring Dvorák’s postcard from America, his ‘New World’ Symphony---brimming with melodic inventiveness, fueled by his love for spirituals and Native American culture. The concert begins with the prelude to Humperdinck’s magical opera Hänsel und Gretel, followed by Sergei Rachmaninoff’s first foray into the world of piano concertos---a dazzling work filled with lush harmonies, soaring tunes and pianistic pyrotechnics---all delivered by the DSO’s own pianist, Lura Johnson. Click here for the full program notes Lura Johnson, recently named a Steinway Artist, has established herself as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most prominent ensemble pianists.  Hailed as “brilliant” by the Washington Post, Ms. Johnson is celebrated for her passionate and insightful interpretations of the standard repertoire, and esteemed by colleagues for her uncommon sensitivity and skill as a collaborative partner.  Trained by luminaries Leon Fleisher and Robert McDonald, she is the Principal Pianist of the Delaware Symphony and has performed regularly with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marin Alsop since 2007.  She has collaborated extensively in orchestral performances and recordings with such artists as Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Leila Josefowicz, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet.  Ms. Johnson has performed as soloist with the Baltimore Symphony, as well as with regional orchestras in Maryland, Ohio, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Ms. Johnson was most recently appointed Artistic Director of Baltimore chamber music series Music in the Great Hall, a well-established Baltimore area series with performances by both emerging and established artists. A committed teacher, she serves on the faculty of Peabody Conservatory and the International Music Institute and Festival. For more information, visit www.lurajohnson.com. Other concerts in the Classical Series Beethoven's World March 2013 Tchaikovsky's World April 2013