Concert envy

Saturday, September 27, marks the debut of Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons as the new music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He will lead a one-night gala event joined by his wife, Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais, and German tenor Jonas Kaufmann. The first half of the evening features scenes from Wagner, the second half highlighting Italian arias, duets and orchestral works.

The concert is sold out. I do not have a ticket.

I ran into some friends at last week's concert who do have tickets for the gala. They said if one of them came down with Ebola they would keep me in mind.

I have three options:

1. I could stand in front of Symphony Hall with a "Need One Ticket" sign. This is effective when there is a group of concertgoers and someone had to beg out at the last minute. If this plan didn't work:
2. I could cross Huntington Avenue to Jordan Hall where Chinese pianist Jue Wang is giving a solo recital of Russian composers. I saw his electrifying performance of Prokofiev's second piano concerto last year with the Boston Philharmonic (see my past report). It wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. Alternatively:
3. I could stay home and listen to a live broadcast of the BSO concert on Boston's classical radio station. Several people whom I respect as voices of reason (curse them) have suggested I follow option three.

So Saturday night will most likely find me at home savoring the Wagnerfest with a bottle of Gewurtztraminer. If you are at the concert, here's to your health.

UPDATE: the concert sounded great over the airways. My biggest impression was of the transparency and detail that Nelsons got out of the orchestra. This bodes well for the continuing partnership. The best news is that camera crews were at Symphony Hall recording this performance for a future PBS telecast. It will almost seem like I was there after all.