On Sunday, May 19, the Eastern Shore Wind Ensemble will present a program with a theme of “A Night at the Opera.” The free band concert, conducted by Dr. Keith Wharton, will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Cross and High streets, Chestertown.
The wide-ranging program of mostly well-known selections should appeal not only to opera buffs but also to a general audience, which will find much of the music familiar.
The concert will open with the frequently performed overture to W.A. Mozart’s 1786 comic opera The Impresario, a burlesque of an audition held by a theater director. Next, “Bacchanale” from Samson et Dalila (1876), by Saint-Saëns, will evoke one aspect of the Biblical story. The contrasting stately “Grand March” from Verdi’s Aida (1871), set in Egypt, will follow.
“Meditation” from Masssenet’s Thaïs (1894), also set in Egypt, was written for solo violin and orchestra as a symphonic interlude between acts but has also become well known as a flute solo with accompaniment. Emily Sessa of Galena, an ESWE member during middle and high school, now a music education major at Towson University, will be the flute soloist.
Two excerpts from Verdi’s Il Trovatore (1852), the contrasting “Anvil Chorus” and “Missere” will be played, followed by excerpts from Die Meistersinger (1867), by Richard Wagner. The 20th century will be represented by a medley of five tunes from A.L. Webber’s 1986 Phantom of the Opera. The program will conclude with themes from the overture to Mozart’s Magic Flute (1791), one of the most recognizable and best-loved opera overtures.
The Eastern Shore Wind Ensemble is an all-ages community concert band that offers area musicians an opportunity to continue or return to the pleasures of playing quality music in a large ensemble—and to present such music to the public. New members are always welcome, without audition or fee. For more information, call 410-778-2829 or 410-810-1834. The ensemble is partially supported by the Kent County Arts Council.
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