Sinfonia da Camera : University of Illinois : News

Not familiar with some of the musical works this season?
Here is a more detailed look at Sinfonia da Camera's season ahead.

Friday, October 9th, opens Sinfonia da Camera’s 2008-09 Season at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The first concert of this season celebrates the artistry of Shakespeare. The myriad musical depictions of Shakespeare’s works testify to the timeless appeal of his literature. Robert B. Graves, Shakespeare scholar, professor of Theatre, and now Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois, opens the first concert of the season with comments and insights into the magical works of Shakespeare and the composers he inspired. The first piece of the evening is Tchaikovsky’s beloved Romeo and Juliet Fantasy, featuring one of the most compelling love themes of all time. The scenery fades to the gritty streets of New York circa 1950 in an updated interpretation of family feuds and tragic young lovers in
Leonard Bernstein’s iconic Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. The drama continues with the soaring selections from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and William Walton’s majestic score from the Laurence Olivier film Henry V. The concert closes on a comedic note, with a tribute to the timeless battle of the sexes with Otto Nicolai’s Overture to the Merry Wives of Windsor and songs from Cole Porter’s musical Kiss Me Kate. Based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, Ricardo Herrera and Yvonne Redman deliver hilarious and romantic songs from this timeless Broadway classic. Great art inspires great art, and great music inspires great performances, you don’t miss this special concert!

On Saturday, November 7th, Sinfonia da Camera presents a melting-pot of musical styles in homage to the American spirit of diversity. The concert will begin with Copland’s flamboyant El Salón México. Then, enjoy a rare treat when Henry Skolnick, one of the nation’s top contrabassoonists, performs Bruns’s Concerto for Contrabassoon and Orchestra. Jim Pugh, Distinguished Professor of Jazz Trombone at the University of Illinois, introduces a new sound with Blanton’s Sonant Voyage. The concert concludes with Beethoven’s dynamic Symphony No. 3, peppered throughout with captivating woodwind solos.z

Saturday, February 6th, finds Sinfonia da Camera combining forces with the University of Illinois Chorale, led by Fred Stoltzfus, to anticipate the enchanting season of spring. The concert begins with Mozart’s ebullient Overture to the Magic Flute, followed by Händel’s expressive choral masterpiece Dixit Dominus showcasing the talents of local vocalists. The night ends with the “Spring” Symphony, Schumann’s first symphony, rejoicing in the return of spring.

On Saturday, March 13th, bring a date to Krannert for a romantic night of brilliant solo playing. Bask in the sumptuous colors of Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, a work that scandalized a century ago. The exquisite woodwind playing, led by the expressive phrasing and warm tone of Jonathan Keeble, Sinfonia’s principal flautist will take your breath away. Then, Ian Hobson dazzles your senses with Chopin’s sparkling and inspirational Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor. The orchestra sends you home in high spirits with the triumphant second symphony of Schumann. (The Schumann cycle continues when Sinfonia perform his 3rd and 4th symphonies in fall, 2010.)

Sinfonia da Camera’s 2009-2010 Season ends climactically with two of the most exciting pieces of music ever written. On Tuesday, April 27th, break up the weeknight tedium with an hour long concert with complimentary pizza, courtesy of Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan. Escape from the hectic pace and take a break for a ‘mini’ concert featuring two well-known and favorite works at 5:30 p.m. Ian Hobson and the orchestra begin with a radiant rendition of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Then the orchestra transports you on an emotional journey from the breadth of despair to joy in Beethoven’s legendary Symphony No. 5 in C Major. This family friendly concert, with economical pricing (children under 18 are free with accompanying adult, all other tickets are $10) and powerful music, appeals to any age and is a great way to introduce live music! In the lobby after the show, Garcia Pizza in a Pan provides tasty slices of pizza as you relax to the sounds of the local young musicians appear in the Student Performance Project. We hope that you will join us for a wonderful season and look forward to sharing the music!

Additional Season Events

The Nutcracker
The annual collaboration with CU Ballet continues this December 7th to 9th. Carry on the cherished holiday tradition of attending Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker based on Hoffman’s classic tale. The creative musicians of Sinfonia da Camera make each passage shimmer with a renewed energy each year. Bring the whole family – the wonder in a child’s eye is part of the magic of the holiday’s and The Nutcracker.

Sinfonia’s Student Performance Projects continues in the 2009-10 season. In the Krannert Center lobby, we will resume the student performance project that brings you performances by some of the outstanding young music students who are being trained in our community. The performers and their parents receive complimentary tickets to that night's Sinfonia da Camera performance.

     October 9        6:50     Ensembles from Urbana Schools
     November 7   6:50     Countryside School
     February 6     6:50     Ensembles from University High School
     March 13         6:50     The Conservatory of Central Illinois
     April 27           6:30     Edison Middle School Jazz bands

Sinfonia da Camera appears under the auspices of the
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and the College of Fine and Applied Arts
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.