Tanglewood has announced the inaugural season for the Tanglewood Learning Institute (TLI). The new centre cost around USD30m (€26.5m), and includes the Linde Center for Music.
“All of us at the BSO are thrilled to launch TLI and open a transformative new chapter of programming to enjoy alongside the great tradition of Tanglewood performances,” said president and CEO Mark Volpe. “With a whole new layer of activities available for patrons curious to get closer to our world of music and even venture beyond it, TLI will offer visitors a sense of discovery and engagement on a scale never before offered by the festival in its 82-year history.”
Unsurprisingly, plenty of big names are involved in TLI’s launch. Renée Fleming will appear in the world premiere of Kevin Puts’ The Brightness of Light (19-21 July); Andris Nelsons will lead Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in Die Walkürie (26-28 July); while there is also a weekend of John Williams film scores (23-25 August).
There are many education opportunities, too. TLI OpenStudio features masterclasses with Nelsons and Fleming as well as Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Yo-Yo Ma; Full Tilt offers interactive experimental work such as a multi-sensory presentation of John Cage’s work; and talk series The Big Idea with guests like Madeleine K. Albright, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Daniel Shapiro.
Money for the project has come through Tanglewood Forever, a fundraising project organised by Boston Symphony Orchestra. So far it has raised just over USD61m, with a goal of USD64m to cover construction costs and upkeep.