![\"Conductor](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/MichaelFrancis_MarcoBorggreve_16web.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cIt\u2019s going to be very much a joyous celebration of what is past and a joyous celebration of what\u2019s to come,\u201d Francis said. \u201cFor example, I\u2019m including pieces never played at Mainly Mozart before, amazingly enough, Beethoven\u2019s 7th Symphony (June 6) and Mendelssohn\u2019s 4th (June 10). Of course people would know them, but not by this orchestra, which is, after all, the only version one should ever hear. We also involve the choir, so we will be doing the Mozart Mass in C Minor (with San Diego Master Chorale June 13).\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2015 Mainly Mozart Festival, to be held June 6 \u2013 20 at the Balboa Theatre, features the 52-piece Festival Orchestra, gathered from top orchestras around the nation. Francis conducts four of the five programs and Concertmaster William Preucil leads a conductor-less evening June 17. Each concert features guest artists and presents music mainly by Mozart. Other composers are J.S. and J.C. Bach and Antonio Vivaldi.<\/p>\n
Celebrated soloists are pianist Jon Kimura Parker (Mozart\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 21, June 6), violinist Benjamin Beilman (Mozart\u2019s Violin Concerto No.3 \u2014 \u201cStrassburg\u201d \u2014 June 10), the San Diego Master Chorale (June 13), flutist Jeffrey Khaner (Mozart\u2019s Flute Concerto No. 1, June 17) and violinist Simone Lamsma (Beethoven\u2019s Concerto for Violin, June 20).<\/p>\n
A chamber orchestra is about half to two-thirds the size of a regular symphony orchestra with much the same instrumental composition. The reduced number of players and the fine acoustics of the Balboa Theatre make attendance of and playing in such programs exceptional from many aspects, especially under the baton of Francis.<\/p>\n
Francis has led many of the world\u2019s leading orchestras since coming to prominence in 2007 as an 11th-hour replacement for the ailing Valery Gergiev in concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra. One month later, he was asked \u2014 with only two hours notice \u2014 to replace composer John Adams in performance of Adams\u2019 own works.<\/p>\n
Soon after, Francis replaced Andr\u00e9 Previn on tour with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony. Currently he is chief conductor of Sweden\u2019s Norrk\u00f6ping Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Florida Orchestra.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael is so committed,\u201d Bojanic said. \u201cPrior to each orchestra concert, he will moderate a brief mini-concert available to ticketholders one hour prior to the 7:30 p.m. concert time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bojanic said Francis also plans to wear a microphone and open up the rehearsals to the public. That way, those uncertain that chamber music is to their liking can try it on for size. And for free.<\/p>\n
Those five rehearsals will be performed at the Balboa Theatre June 6, 10, 17 and 20, from\u00a010:30 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.; and June 12, from\u00a07 \u2013 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
In addition \u2014 and in celebration of Balboa Park\u2019s centennial \u2014 Mainly Mozart invites all amateur and aspiring players to pick up their instruments and play alongside the nation\u2019s top musicians.<\/p>\n
Open to the public, the free event, titled \u201cSan Diego Makes Music,\u201d takes place at 3 p.m., June 14, at Plaza de Panama, Balboa Park. Up to 33 advanced amateurs will be paired up with concertmasters from various orchestras across the country. For more info visit mainlymozart.com\/sandiegomakesmusic<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Mainly Mozart Festival will be held June 6 \u2013 20 at the Balboa Theatre, located at 868 Fourth Ave., Downtown. Concert tickets range from $25 \u2013 $85. For more information and full program details, visit principalmentemozart.org<\/a> or phone 619-466-8742.<\/p>\n