That a political personality practices music, it happens. That it occurs in concert in full mandate, here is something less common. Michelle Wu, the Democratic mayor of Boston, is of this temple. The town councilor, a pianist from an early age, will perform on May 7, as a soloist, at Symphony Hall, the great historic concert hall of the capital of Massachusetts, on the east coast of the United States. At the invitation of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Michelle Wu will perform Mozart’s Concerto No. 21 in C major for the occasion.
The free event, titled “Concert for the City,” will be conducted by Andris Nelsons, conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, who will accompany Michelle Wu’s “guest performance.” orchestra accessible to residents of all ages,” she said in a statement, welcoming the chance for the city to host this “world-renowned” symphonic formation.
The elected 38-year-old has already had the opportunity to sit in front of a piano as part of the exercise of her mandate. Last year, the mayor performed with students at a gala evening organized in an art center and also played two pieces for residents of a municipal retirement home. “The first time I came here was for a city council debate where I had to answer some tough questions; today, I’m very happy to be here just to play the piano!” she said at the time. However, his upcoming performance next month will be his first concert appearance as mayor and soloist.
Daughter of a Taiwanese singer, Michelle Wu accompanied her mother on the piano when she was a child. She continued her study and practice of the instrument during her studies. According to a Boston Globe article written after her election, in 2021, the pianist has kept a very vivid memory of an interpretation of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which she had given in her high school years. Part of its cultural policy consists of the multiplication of free events, in order to improve access to the arts in Boston.
Apart from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the concert will also be marked by the participation of the Boston Pops Orchestra, conducted by conductor Keith Lockhart. This popular repertoire group will open the event with a performance of the Fanfare for Fenway, a work by John Williams composed when he himself was a Boston Pop bandleader. The last edition of the “Concert for the city” was organized in 2021.
