With his all-American good looks and musical talent to burn, Keith Lockhart has given Utah music lovers more than their fair share of enjoyment. After inspiring us as conductor and musical director of the Utah Symphony since 1998, he now is bowing out from the Utah stage, leaving us all a little poorer.
Known to the rest of the music world as the inheritor of the Boston Pops Orchestra baton from John Williams, Lockhart has excelled no less along the Wasatch Front while multitasking across the country. He is Utah’s concertmaster, with accomplishments galore: from his “Salute to the Symphony” local television specials (one an Emmy winner), to conducting the Utah Symphony and Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Olympics.
In addition, he led the Symphony in its first European tour in 19 years, and their first CD release in over 20 years, all the while continuing the stellar programming at Abravanel Hall season after season.
For his final performance, he will conduct Leonard Bernstein’s “MASS: A Theater Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers”—a piece about the crisis of belief facing an increasingly dangerous world. A critic once described the work as one “that stakes everything. I can think of few creative acts in recent times that take so many risks and achieve so much.” I imagine we could say the same of Lockhart and his generous gift we have been privileged to be part of for the last 11 years. Bravo!
Keith’s Finale: Bernstein’s MASS @ Abravanel Hall, 123 S. West Temple, 801- 355-2787, May 29-30, 8 p.m. ArtTix.org