Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra
Timothy Myers, Conductor
Zuill Bailey, Cello

Experience Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, celebrated for its sweeping melodies and narrative brilliance—qualities that also define his iconic ballets Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. The program also features the world premiere of a new work for cello and orchestra by Michael Abels, co-composer of the Pulitzer Prize winning opera Omar that had its acclaimed premiere at Spoleto in 2022. Abels brings his distinctive voice to this exciting new work, performed by renowned cellist Zuill Bailey.  

About Zuill Bailey
Zuill Bailey, widely considered one of the premier cellists in the world, is a Grammy Award-winning, internationally renowned soloist, recitalist, Artistic Director, and teacher.  His rare combination of celebrated artistry, technical wizardry, and engaging personality has made him one of the most sought-after and active cellists today. 

He has performed with symphony orchestras and at festivals worldwide and won the 2017 Grammy for Best Solo Performance for Michael Daugherty’s Tales of Hemingway with the Nashville Symphony. His discography includes the world premiere recording of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Cello Concerto and his second recording of the Bach Cello Suites. Mr. Bailey has appeared on HBO’s Oz and on NPR, BBC, Sirius, and XM Radio. He holds degrees from the Peabody Conservatory and Juilliard and performs on the “Rosette” 1693 Matteo Gofriller cello. He serves as Artistic Director of multiple U.S. music festivals and is Professor of Cello and Director of the Center for Arts Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Attendance at all events is subject to the Festival security policy.

You may also like: Mahler Symphony No. 1, Bank of America Chamber Music, Terence Blanchard + The E-Collective