Fei-Fei, Piano

Evansville Philharmonic Chorus

Roger Kalia, Conductor

• Paul Dooley River City Re-Awakened
• Gershwin  Rhapsody in Blue
• Florence Price/Arr. Grant-Still   Dances in the Canebrakes
• Bernstein   “Symphonic Dances” from West Side Story

Let’s get together and celebrate the opening of our season with River City Re-Awakened, a world premiere by Paul Dooley written especially for the EPO!

You’ll enjoy hearing two of the most popular works for symphony orchestra, “Symphonic Dances” from Leonard Bernstein’s iconic West Side Story and Gershwin’s jazzy Rhapsody in Blue featuring pianist Fei-Fei — one of today’s most promising rising stars.

We will perform the lighthearted Dances in the Canebrakes, based on old-style ballroom dance music and Joplin-like rags. This work is written by Florence Price — a true pioneer of American classical music and the first African-American woman to earn national recognition for her symphonic work.

The concert features the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus in a moving, musical surprise honoring healthcare workers and people we lost to COVID-19.

CONCERT SPONSOR

GUEST ARTIST SPONSOR
Martha & Merritt deJong Foundation

CHORUS SPONSOR
Friends of the Chorus

Luther Lewis, Tenor

Tess Altiveros, Soprano

Roger Kalia, Conductor

Now that Broadway shows will begin to raise their curtains this fall, the EPO takes their cue and welcomes theatregoers to hear the Evansville Philharmonic perform music from Hamilton, Wicked, Rent, Beetlejuice, Dear Evan Hansen, Lion King, and more.

Enjoy these box-office hit melodies right here in the Victory Theatre!

CONCERT SPONSORS

Mrs. Nancy S Traylor

GUEST ARTIST SPONSOR

Dr. & Mrs. Louis B. Cady/Cady Wellness Institute

CHORUS SPONSOR
Friends of the Chorus

Andrea Drury, Soprano
Tiffany Choe, Soprano
Evansville Civic Theatre, Kevin Roach, Director
Women of the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus
Roger Kalia, Conductor

• Colin Jacobsen/Siamak Aghaei  Ascending Bird
• Felix Mendelssohn  A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Semi-Staged)

This concert opens with the intoxicating, whirling Ascending Bird, co-written by American composer Colin Jacobsen and Persian composer Siamak Aghaei. It is based on an ancient Persian parable of spiritual transcendence.

The mischief, mythical fairies and innocent lovers that Shakespeare brought to life in his A Midsummer Night’s Dream are magically portrayed through Mendelssohn’s “incidental” music. You’ll recognize the “Overture,” “Nocturne” and of course, the “Wedding March.” We’re offering a semi-staged version, complete with props, lighting, costumes and actors.

CONCERT SPONSORS
Phil & Linda Palmer Fassett
Dr. Marcus Obeius & Mrs. Kelsi Pitylak

CHORUS SPONSOR
Friends of the Chorus

Musician Spotlight
Roger Kalia, Conductor

In this Bourbon Series, Maestro Kalia will curate innovative chamber orchestra programs that pair bourbon tastings with an intimate musical experience.

Join us for Bourbon Tasting, Food Trucks and Music at the Dusty Barn Distillery.

(21 and over)

Angela Brown, Soprano
Reginald Smith Jr., Baritone
Evansville Philharmonic Chorus
Roger Kalia, Conductor

• Sergei Prokofiev Selections from Romeo & Juliet, Suites 1 & 2
• George Gershwin  Porgy & Bess: A Concert of Songs

Experience two legendary and powerful love stories in one incredible night! Prokofiev’s electrifying and luscious music from Romeo & Juliet fuses with Gershwin’s poignant and quintessentially American Porgy & Bess to create an evening of sweeping emotion and drama.

Hear blues, jazz, spirituals, and classical music, in two radically different works that were surprisingly written in the same year!

Joined by the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus, our wonderful singers, Angela Brown and Reginald Smith, Jr. sing Gershwin’s classics like “Summertime” and “I Got Plenty of Nuttin’,” while Prokofiev’s “Balcony Scene” will move you to tears and “Death of Tybalt” will leave you speechless.

CONCERT SPONSOR
William E. Schmidt Foundation

CHORUS SPONSOR
Friends of the Chorus