“Your magic reunites that which custom strictly parts; all men become brothers where your gentle wing alights.” The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO), joined by more than 170 singers from the combined Fairfield County Chorale, Hartford Chorale, and Guilford High School Voices, will perform Triumphant Voices: Beethoven’s Ninth on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 7:30pm in Woolsey Hall.
Led by NHSO music director William Boughton, this transcendent program will open with Schoenberg’s A Survivor from Warsaw, an artistic expression of the pain and suffering experienced by the victims of the Warsaw Ghetto under the Nazi regime. After intermission, the concert will then turn to the joyous music and uplifting words of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, featuring soprano soloist Amanda Pabyan, alto Leah Hawkins, tenor Halim Shon, and bass Kevin Harris.
NHSO Music Director William Boughton says, “On this program, the combination of Schoenberg’s Survivor from Warsaw with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony sends a powerful message of Man’s inhumanity to Man, leading to Man’s great ability for love, hope and transcendence.”
This program will also be performed on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30pm at Norwalk Concert Hall in Norwalk, CT. This performance will feature the Fairfield County Chorale and will be directed by FCC artistic director David Rosenmeyer. Tickets to this performance may be purchased online by visiting www.artful.ly/fairfield-county-chorale/store/events/4089.
The critically acclaimed Fairfield County Chorale is celebrating its 51st year of performing great choral works in southwestern Connecticut. The winner of the 2011 Artist of the Year Award from the Fairfield Arts Center, the Chorale has performed at such prestigious venues as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Its season consists of three concerts performed at the Norwalk Concert Hall, each with a professional orchestra and soloists.
The Hartford Chorale serves as the primary symphonic chorus for the greater Hartford community. The Chorale provides experienced, talented singers with the opportunity to study and perform at a professional level of musicianship. Through its concerts and collaborations with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and other organizations, the Chorale seeks to reach and inspire the widest possible audience with exceptional performances of a broad range of choral literature, including renowned choral masterpieces.
Amanda Pabyan made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte under the baton of James Levine, and performed in leading roles with the most prominent opera companies in the US, including New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, Opera Colorado, and Florida Grand Opera. Her symphonic experience includes performances with the Boston Pops, Seattle Symphony, and Cincinnati Symphony, amongst others.
Mezzo-soprano Leah Hawkins returns to the NHSO after her November 2014 performance in Puccini’s Suor Angelica at St. Mary’s Church. Hawkins is a 2nd year Master of Music candidate in the Opera Program at Yale School of Music. Her roles include Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro, La Badessa in Suor Angelica, Giulietta in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Tisbe in La Cenerentola, and Maria in Porgy and Bess. On the concert stage, she has appeared with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony, Black Pearl Orchestra, Chesapeake Youth Symphony, and Yale Philharmonia.
Tenor Halim Shon, a native of South Korea and currently an Artist Diploma candidate at the Yale School of Music, has performed throughout Asia, North America, and Europe as a member of the renowned classical vocal quintet UAngel Voice. Mr. Shon won second prize at the Osaka International Competition in 2007, was the 2013 winner of the Grand Prize and the Conductor/Director Grand Prize award at the 25th annual Annapolis Opera Competition, and was awarded first place at the 13th Annual Mario Lanza Vocal Competition.
Praised for the distinctive warmth of his voice, clear diction, and exceptional musicianship, American baritone Keith Harris is captivating audiences in his performances on both operatic and concert stages. Recent performances include a return to the Metropolitan Opera for their production of Werther, Valentin in Faust with Toledo Opera, the Count in Le nozze di Figaro at the Bar Harbor Music Festival, Silvio in Pagliacci with Opera Tampa, and several appearances with the Festival Lyrique international de Belle-Île en Mer in France.
Tickets: Adult tickets are $15 – $74. Student tickets are $10 and KidTix (children ages 7-17) are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Blue Star tickets for active military personnel and their immediate families are free. For tickets and information call 203.865.0831 x20 or visit www.NewHavenSymphony.org. For tickets to the March 28 performance, visit www.artful.ly/fairfield-county-chorale/store/events/4089.
Pre-Concert Activities:
Symphony Supper: Indulge in a delicious Symphony Supper with other music lovers at Briq prior to the performance; visit NewHavenSymphony.org or call 203.865.0831 x15 for details.
Prelude: Join us for an intriguing FREE pre-concert discussion on 6:30-7:00pm at Yale’s Sudler Hall.
The April 2 concert is co-sponsored by Evergreen Woods. The April 2 performance of A Survivor from Warsaw is sponsored by the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven. KidTix and Blue Star Tickets are sponsored by Frontier. The 2014-2015 Season media sponsor is the New Haven Register.
