American Mavericks

American Mavericks opens at Carnegie Hall

Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony’s American Mavericks Festival opened at Carnegie Hall tonight, in the first of four concerts, with a rare, fully-staged performance of John Cage’s Song Books, with soloists Joan La Barbara, Meredith Monk, and Jessye Norman. Another highlight of the evening: the New York premiere of John Adams’ new Absolute Jest, with the St. Lawrence String Quartet in a rousing romp of a performance.

Meredith Monk (in white) and Jessye Norman (center) in John Cage's Song Books

Michael Tilson Thomas (center) in John Cage's Song Books

Michael Tilson Thomas and Jessye Norman, Joan La Barbara and Meredith Monk, with the SFS musicians after John Cage's Song Books

We had a few special guests: Cheyenne Jackson (left) and Bette Midler (center) with SF Symphony President John D. Goldman (right)