Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!
Aaron Copland was friend and mentor to the young Tilson Thomas and his Third Symphony receives an affectionate performance as the conductor returns to his roots.
Paul Lewis offered a performance of Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto that would be hard to top, while Andris Nelsons led the world premiere of Elizabeth Ogonek's colorful Starling Variations.
Soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet spun a dazzling rendition of Liszt's Second Piano Concerto, which was followed by a limber reading of Beethoven's Fourth Symphony.
