“I see GBS focusing on engaging with our community by going to schools, bringing interested students into the rehearsal and performance space together with the orchestra, breaking the barriers of fear that surround classical music,” says Leandro. “The orchestra is filled with outstanding talent, and I’d like to showcase our own fantastic musicians in a concerto setting with GBS. In my experience, when we accompany one of our own, there’s a little extra energy that’s palpable to the orchestra and to the listener.”
Last Saturday’s final concert of the 77th season, Godspeed, Eric Jacobsen was a night of great music (including Respighi’s “Pines of Rome”), many tributes, and a great deal of bittersweet sentiment. Longtime GBS principal musicians Anthony DeQuattro and Nicholas Hardie lauded Jacobsen’s nine years, speaking of his superb musicality and great rapport with the musicians. Leandro was announced as next season’s conductor by GBS President Ken Staffey and was greeted warmly by symphony-goers after the concert in the lobby.
Leandro was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, land of carnival, samba schools and rich musical culture. He attended the Sao Paulo State University, the Rotterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands, and Yale University. His conducting mentor and teacher was Gustav Meier, director of Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra for over four decades. With fluency in five languages (soon to be eight!) Leandro is looking forward to communicating with the many and diverse groups in the greater Bridgeport area.
“I understand how much music can unite and transform a community,” says Leandro. “I’ve seen that happen many times all over the world, including working with pre-college students in South Korea, engaging in long term percussion projects with high school students through the Geneva, Switzerland public system, or working with Springfield MA middle and high school students helping them build instruments from objects they found at home, then writing music for those instruments. My mother, who is 81, is active as a choral conductor working with disadvantaged children (always a humbling experience to witness in rehearsal). Some of those kids don’t talk due to the unimaginable violence they suffered, but they do sing! A symphony orchestra should be a place a community can see mirroring itself.” Leandro’s mother was also on hand last Saturday night when the announcement was made.
“Eduardo has music deep in his DNA,” said Staffey. “He’ll fit in perfectly with GBS’ ongoing programs in Bridgeport’s schools and is certainly going to be a presence in the community.“
GBS’ opening concert for its 78th Season entitled Building Bridges will take place at The Klein on October 14, with a dynamic program of Bernstein’s “West Side Story Symphonic Dances” and a unique percussion program that Leandro is already starting to develop with Brazilian and African percussion groups in the area. More information about the upcoming season will be announced soon.
Subscriptions will go on sale starting April 16 at www.GBS.org. More information call GBS at (203)576-0263.
