Contact:
Nicole Gallego
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
203-931-2991
ngallego@newhavensymphony.org
The NHSO Celebrates the Spirit of the Season with a Holiday Extravaganza
New Haven, CT December 5, 2008: Join Associate Conductor Gerald Steichen and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra POPS! for the New Haven tradition Holiday Extravaganza, Friday, December 19, 7:30pm at the Shubert Theater, with repeat performances, Saturday, December 20, 7:30pm, Quick Center for the Performing Arts, Fairfield and Sunday, December 21, 3:00pm at Shelton Intermediate School.
On the program is a blend of yuletide favorites as well as the world premiere of Fantasia on Christmas Carols. Guest artists include, the New Haven Chorale, soprano, Jessica Medoff Bunchman and a surprise narrator reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Also scheduled is the annual New Haven Symphony Sing-a-Long, a long standing New Haven tradition.
The NHSO also presents its first ever Holiday Business Extravaganza – a networking and celebratory event preceding the concert. The performing arts are critical to a strong local economy: studies have shown that an orchestra the size of the NHSO has a $4-million economic impact in its community. Given this influence, contributions to the New Haven Symphony are certainly a sound investment in the future of New Haven businesses. And it’s a great way to celebrate the holidays with employees, colleagues, clients and friends. For sponsorship information please call Stephanie Hardenber at 203.931.2997.
Lyric Soprano Jessica Medoff Bunchman is currently making her mark as an admired young performer in both the classical and crossover repertoire. Praised for her outstanding acting abilities, inspired character choices, and vivid voice, she continues to excite audiences with her work on the operatic stage. She most recently triumphed in her debut performance of Judith in Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle with the Natchez Festival of Music. Other roles in her operatic repertoire include Musetta (La Bohéme), Micaela (Carmen), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), The Governess (The Turn of the Screw), and Hanna Glawari (The Merry Widow). As an avid crossover performer and recitalist, Ms. Bunchman has performed with The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, The Aspen Music Festival, The Breckenridge Music Festival. As an oratorio singer, Ms. Bunchman made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2007 singing the Soprano Soloist in the Fauré Requiem.
The New Haven Chorale is an auditioned, professionally conducted community of 100 vocal musicians united by their passion for choral music and their commitment to personal musical development. Described by audiences as “electrifying” and “deeply moving,” Chorale performances have presented masterworks and contemporary compositions, from intimate a cappella ensembles to titanic choral-symphonic extravaganzas. Since 1950 the Chorale has brought exceptional choral music to New Haven, pursuing musical excellence with a joy unique to volunteer singers. The Chorale sprang from the ground-breaking work of Robert Shaw (who conducted the ensemble on five occasions), one of whose disciples served as its first music director. Chorale members’ tradition of generous and enduring participation—many for two decades and several for longer than 30 years—has forged rare institutional artistic memory and teamwork, which also are the fruits of the Chorale’s equal emphasis on superb musicianship and a sense of community. The Chorale and the NHSO share a long history of music making together, including a thrilling celebration of the Chorale’s 50th anniversary with the performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. Chorale members always look forward eagerly to collaborating with their musical colleagues in the NHSO, appearing with the NHSO for last season’s performance of Brahms’ masterwork, Ein Deutsches Requiem.
Single tickets ($15-49) are available through the Shubert Theater at 203.562.5666 or tickets.com. For more information on programs please visit our website at newhavensymphony.org or call 203.931.2991.
