The San Diego Symphony’s first season at the re-christened Jacobs Music Center has been shaped with the venue’s new features firmly in mind.
The center, which began life as the Fox Theatre in 1929 and was known as Copley Symphony Hall for more than 30 years, has undergone a two-year renovation that includes a custom-designed orchestra enclosure, a tunable acoustic canopy and the reconfiguration of both the stage and the audience seating.
The Masterworks series, for instance, opens and closes with works by Gustav Mahler, with Symphony No. 2, Resurrection early in the season, on Oct. 4, and Symphony No. 3, near its end on May 23.
Both works, according to the San Diego Symphony, require massive orchestral resources, powerhouse singers and full choruses, showcasing one of the hall’s new features – its Choral Terrace.
The terrace, also a visually striking addition to the new hall, will not only be used for musical purposes, but also as extra seating for audiences at select concerts, giving members a unique point of view and experience.
The refurbished pipe organ – another key feature of the new hall – will be the centerpiece of Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3.
The symphony hosts a gala opening Sept. 28 with Music Director Rafael Payare conducting for the world premiere of Welcome, Home!!, from Korean-born American composer Texu Kim.
“We are so excited to welcome audiences to our new home and for people to experience this extraordinary orchestra in a hall that now matches its virtuosity,” Payare said. “We have assembled an array of exciting and different programs with special guest artists and opportunities for the orchestra to play in a wide range of configurations, demonstrating the sonic capabilities of our new home and the superb artistry of our musicians.”
The season also has been dedicated to the memory of the late local philanthropist Joan K. Jacobs, who died Tuesday. She and her husband, Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs, in 2002 gave the San Diego Symphony the largest donation ever made to a symphony orchestra – $120 million.
The inaugural season will feature 20 programs for the Jacobs Masterworks series, comprised of numerous new works, masterpieces and rarely heard compositions, performed by both acclaimed and rising soloists and guest conductors.
In addition, two series, Family Concerts and Jazz @ the Jacobs, return, on Nov. 2 and Nov. 23 respectively; three also will be launched, including a Friday Matinee Jacobs Masterworks series, Currents, and Symphony Kids.
The Family Concerts, for children ages 6-12, will take place at 11 a.m. Saturdays. Symphony Kids, for families with children up to 5, will feature symphony musicians sharing their favorite sing-a-longs, rhymes, dances, and musical games to introduce young listeners to instruments. This series also will feature pre-concert activities in the lobby.