November 23, 2010

Up Close And Personal With John and Barbara DeMain



Guests: John DeMain, Music Director, Madison Symphony Orchestra
Barbara DeMain, wife, supporter and former promoter of classical music concerts

They first met in Houston. She was there on a concert assignment from her home in Germany. He was there conducting and offered her a ride to the concert hall. The conversation was good and it continued via telephone after she returned to Germany. He then invited her to Aspen, and a few days after she arrived, he asked her if she would like to elope. She had to look up what the word meant in her German/American dictionary. It said, "to flee." He said it would be "fun." She said, "okay!" Nineteen years later, John and Barbara DeMain are still having fun together and united in their love of music.

In Barbara DeMain's first broadcast interview, listeners will get an insight into this fascinating couple, each grounded in their own history and committed to their relationship with the community through the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

The community will once again welcome the holiday season with their annual Christmas Spectacular concerts, December 3-5 in Overture Hall. Joining the MSO will be Metropolitan Opera star, soprano Angela Brown, and the outstanding local talent of the Madison Symphony Chorus, the Madison Youth Choirs and the Mount Zion Gospel Choir. For more information, go to www.madisonsymphony.org or call 608.260.8680.