Minneapolis Music Company

Treating Twin Citians to innovative classical music experiences

The Minneapolis Music Company is a brand-new music ensemble founded by Twin Cities-based conductor Mischa Santora. The organization has a bold mission: To revolutionize the classical music concert-going experience by partnering with the Twin Cities’ finest theater, dance, and visual artists. At the same time, the company adheres to the highest musical standards, hiring musicians from the state's top-notch orchestras and college faculties.

The Minneapolis Music Company just wrapped up its inaugural production, Devilish Dances, featuring music by Wynton Marsalis and choreography by Minneapolis-based Live Action Set. These performances boasted a mash-up of jazzy rhythms, movement theater, and contemporary choreography. Our ensemble featured musicians from Minnesota Orchestra, the faculty of St. Olaf College, MacPhail Center for Music, and more. And we performed in some of the coolest venues around: the Soap Factory in Minneapolis (October 28, 2014) and Bedlam Lowertown in St. Paul (October 30, 2014).

A few words about our founder: Mischa Santora is a former associate conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra. He still conducts the Minnesota Orchestra regularly, with more than 20 performances on the calendar for its 2014-15 season. In 2013 MacPhail Center for Music tapped Santora to reinvent its Spotlight Series of faculty concerts. Santora responded with a season of themed shows including “Musical Journeys: Paris - New York” and a production of Stravinsky’s Petrushka, featuring shadow puppetry by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre. He also conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra at St. Olaf College for its 2013-14 season. Santora has more than 20 years of international experience on the podium. He has conducted orchestras all over the world (on five continents!). He’s also a cultural omnivore, a lover of classic novels, art museums, and the 24-hour news cycle. These interests inform his vision for re-energizing classical music for the 21st century.

Please help us present more adventuresome and inter-disciplinary concerts. Thank you!