LENOX, Mass. — Tanglewood will hold its first
full summer season since 2019, including the traditional James Taylor concert on the Fourth of July.
The summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra canceled its entire 2020 season after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and shifted to virtual performances. Last year, there was a truncated season with shortened performances, distancing protocols and limited capacity.
The full-season schedule will run eight weekends of BSO, Boston Pops and Popular Artist concerts, and performances by the Fellows of Tanglewood Music Center. Ozawa Hall and the Linde Center for Music and Learning will both reopen to the public after being closed for two years.
The performance venue is again working with 9 Foundations Inc. to develop safety protocols that will be announced closer to the season, as well as announcements about youth, family and community programs, dining, and hours and locations for the campus shop.
"Each year I look forward to the orchestra's return to Tanglewood with ever greater anticipation, as we join our devoted music community for wonderful concerts in the beautiful setting of the Berkshire hills," said Music Director Andris Nelsons. "The 2022 Tanglewood season is filled with so many wonderful styles of compositoin, performed by the most extraordinary musicians working today, among them our very own Boston Symphony Orchestra. We hope today's announcement will excite music fames everywhere as we look forward to warmer days and a full summer season of inspiring performances at Tanglewood."
Tanglewood has also been host to numerous local graduations that were done virtually or relocated over the past two years. No word yet on whether the venue will again be filled with graduates in June.
It will be filled with music lovers and returning musicians: this season marks eight world and American premierres, 28 works by living composers and 21 artists making their Tanglewood or BSO debuts.
Tickets for Taylor's performance on July 3 go on sale on Jan. 31; the July 4 concert is sold out because of carryover tickets from the concerts canceled in 2020 and 2021. Ticketholders from the canceled concerts can use it this year or get credit or a refund.
In addition to Taylor, Tanglewood will host popular music stars Ringo Starr and his band on June 17; Bonnie Raitt on June 18; The Mavericks on June 27; and Earth, Wind & Fire on Aug. 9. Tanglewood on Parade is schedule for Aug. 2 and John Williams will be celebrated twice: first with the showing and live score of "Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back" ("Star Wars: A New Hope" was performed back in 2019) on July 15 and a 90th Birthday Celebration on Aug. 20 that will feature a selection of his concert music and film scores with guest artists.
