North Shore Philharmonic's 75th Anniversary Show To Feature Double Bass Showcase

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra is preparing to conclude its 75th season developing musicians and entertaining in the region with a bit of an unusual treat for its season-ending concert at Swampscott High School on Sunday.

The Orchestra's showcase will feature Spanish composer Simon Garcia's unique double bass concerto, featuring soloist Susan Hagen of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

"When one thinks of orchestral soloists, one rarely thinks of the double bass," said NSPO Music Director Dr. Robert Lehmann, who is also a violinist and solo performer as well. "The NSPO
is about to change that. I think the audience will be enthralled by the rich and powerful tones that Susan Hagen will draw from the double bass, which usually toils away in providing the foundation for the rest of the Orchestra's sound.

"Sunday, the double bass comes front and center."

Hagen is the first woman to occupy the principal bassist chair for the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. She has also performed with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra, and many other groups in the area in solo recitals.

Hagen is on the faculty at Berklee College of Music and a frequent lecturer at Harvard University.

The 3 p.m. show at Swampscott High will also feature George Gershwin's famous "An American in

Paris," Walter Piston's "The Incredible Flutist" and George Walker's "Lyric for Strings."

This is the Orchestra's 74th full season — having lost the 2020-21 season to the COVID-19 health crisis. Tickets for Sunday's event are $30 at the door with seniors and students $25. Advanced tickets can be purchased here.

The NSPO said that while it is not requiring COVID vaccination proof or other mitigation measures for this show, those who are at high risk for a serious infection are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain social distancing within Swampscott High School for the show.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)