Nathaniel Efthimiou to conduct this weekend’s concerts as Bramwell Tovey quarantines with COVID-19 in Sweden

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra announces Nathaniel Efthimiou to conduct this weekend’s concerts as Bramwell Tovey quarantines with COVID-19 in Sweden

RI Phil Implements Additional Measures in response to Omicron Surge

2021-2022 Amica Rush Hour Series Continues on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 6:30pm 2021-2022 Taco Classical Series Continues on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 8pm Providence, RI January 20, 2022

On just two days notice, Interim Assistant Conductor Nathaniel Efthimiou will step in to conduct The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra in Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and the Brahms Violin Concerto with Benjamin Beilman on two concerts - this Friday, January 21st and this Saturday, January 22nd at The VETS.  All ticket holders for this weekend will have access to Saturday’s livestream performance at StreamRIPhil.org

Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey  recently tested positive for COVID-19.  Tovey has mild symptoms and must quarantine and test negative before returning to the podium.   

Nathaniel Efthimiou is the founding Music Director of Orchestra Contempo, Assistant Conductor of Boston Civic Symphony, Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music, and recent guest conductor of the Amarillo Symphony. He was recently granted The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award and participated in the 2021 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition with the London Symphony Orchestra.  In 2020, he completed doctoral  studies  in  orchestral  conducting  at Boston University, where he was a student of Bramwell Tovey’s. He holds dual citizenship in the United  States and Finland and currently resides in Boston.

Says Executive Director David Beauchesne,  “Many conductors have had their first big break when asked to jump in at the last moment.  It will be exciting for all on stage and in the audience to see Nathaniel rise to the challenge of leading the RI Phil in these two great works by Beethoven and Brahms.   I have spoken with Bramwell.  He is faring well and regrets he is unable to conduct this week but is excited for Nathaniel and this opportunity.” 

Due to the Omicron surge in Rhode Island, the Philharmonic has made other changes as well. To reduce the number of musicians on stage, Saturday’s scheduled Side-by-Side performance of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Overture with members of the RI Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RIPYO) has been moved to the March 19th TACO Classical Series concert. The Amica Rush Hour Series program on Friday, January 21st remains unchanged.   



The Philharmonic has made other temporary adjustments for patrons in response to Omicron:

1. Saturday night’s concert has been shortened and will be performed without intermission.

   2.   Patrons with proof of full vaccination will continue to be admitted.  Negative PCR tests can no longer be accepted in lieu of                 

         vaccination until the Omicron surge has diminished. 

All ticketed patrons for Friday and Saturday’s concerts will continue to have livestream access to Saturday’s performance.

Revised Vaccine Policy Change for January Concerts

Due to the current surge, the following changes to the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert  attendance policies have been updated.  Upon entering The VETS, patrons can quickly provide:

• Proof of full vaccination* from the healthcare provider who administered the vaccination, either with a physical copy or on a smartphone, and accepted form of ID: A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport for Patrons 18 years and older.  Patrons under 18 may use a government-issued photo ID or school photo ID. 

• For everyone’s safety, the use of PCR testing in lieu of vaccination is temporarily suspended. All audience members will be fully vaccinated.  All staff and performers are fully vaccinated , boosted, and subject to regular Covid-19 testing.

• Masks will be provided free to anyone without one upon entering for wearing at all times while in the concert hall.  It is recommended that patrons bring their own four or five-ply mask if they can (K-N95 or similar).

* “Fully vaccinated” means that on the day of the performance at least 14 days have elapsed since the patron’s final dose of an FDA or WHO approved two- or one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.   Beginning with the February 11th and 12th concerts, the definition of full vaccination

will include receipt of a booster, if eligible. For more details, call 401-248-7000 or visit:

https://www.riphil.org/news/audience-safety-protocols-ri-philharmonic-orchestra-at-the-vets

If you have any questions, please email BoxOffice@riphil.org or call 401.248.7000.