The opening of the 2022 winter-spring “Hear Us Here” season was postponed and two performances were canceled for the San Diego Symphony due to the COVID-19 surge.
The Symphony said in a statement on Thursday that the “difficult decision” to cancel and postpone was made “after consulting with local health experts” about the recent COVID-19 surges across San Diego County.
Two concerts were scheduled to begin for Jan.15 and 16 at the San Diego Civic Theatre, which has the capacity to hold nearly 3,000 people, but were canceled. It would have featured the symphony’s principal guest conductor, Edo de Waart, and guest violinist Simone Lamsma with the orchestra.
No new date has been announced for the symphony’s Tuesday concert at the La Jolla’s Baker-Baum concert hall. The postponed concert would have featured guitarist Jason Vieaux and an 11-piece chamber orchestra.
Ticketholders will be contacted with options as the symphony plans its return within the coming weeks, but dates are to be determined. The 112-year-old orchestra hopes to resume its new season on Jan. 28 at the San Diego Civic Theatre depending on the conditions surrounding the pandemic.
“We currently plan to resume our indoor concerts beginning with our programs on January 28 and 29 at the San Diego Civic Theatre,” officials said. “Based on the current projections of many health experts and experiences in other countries with the omicron variant, it is our hope that new cases and hospitalizations will decline and we can resume providing transformational musical experiences in a safe environment at that time.
The post-holiday surges seen statewide prompted the California Health and Human Services Agency to extend its indoor mask mandate through Feb.15.
The surging pandemic canceled many highly anticipated events. Just one day before the symphony's announcement was an indefinite postponement of the 2022 edition of the Grammy Awards. Several other music event postponements locally due to the pandemic.
In May, the final eight performances played by the symphony are scheduled to be held outdoors at their new $85 million venue, Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
