Symphony News
Check out new Dallas Symphony Orchesta portraits at Meyerson Center
It's a photo of photos, plus a whole lot of carpet: Behold the Dallas Symphony Orchestra portraits.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has a new set of portraits hanging on the walls of the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center, arranged in a jazzy new format designed by Dallas photography studio Gittings, who donated their services to take the portraits, as well.
As a release from Gitting notes, Gittings is known for its portraits of stars and politicians such as Octavia Spencer, Emmitt Smith, John Wayne, Roger Staubach, and Sophia Loren.
The nearly-century-old studio donated approximately $120,000 in photography services to the DSO to not only shoot the photos but also create a modernized Principal Artist Gallery at the Meyerson, replacing the former layout initially installed by Gittings in 1990.
The Principal Artist Gallery is a long-standing tradition of the DSO, giving patrons a chance to do more than hear them play but instead to gaze upon the visages of Music Director Fabio Luisi and all 18 Principal Artists. The photos are shot at the center; no two photos are exactly alike.
The display measures 60 feet by 13 feet and can be found in the Mort's Lower Lobby, which you pass when you come in from the parking garage. A visual prelude to your musical night ahead.
In addition to the portraits, Gittings also coordinates a group image of all 100+ musicians on the Meyerson stage every four years. They've been doing this free for the DSO for more than 30 years.
The donation includes portrait sessions with each principal musician as well as the printing and installation.
Whenever a new principal musician is hired by the DSO, Gittings pops in to do a freebie portrait.
Gittings president/owner Rick Bettinger says their arrangement with the DSO is an honor, stating, "We hope these portraits serve as a timeless reminder of our admiration for the DSO and a symbol of our shared passion for the arts."
