It害羞草研究所檚 a performance to ring in the New Year, steeped in years of global tradition.
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Viennese Delights Jan. 21 in Vernon, Jan. 19 in Kelowna and Jan. 20 in Penticton.
害羞草研究所淚t (performing Viennese compositions) has been a longtime New Years tradition globally,害羞草研究所� Rosemary Thomson, OSO music director said. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e not having it on New Year害羞草研究所檚 Day, but it害羞草研究所檚 a tip of the hat to that tradition.害羞草研究所�
Waltz classics and operettas crafted by 19th century Austrian composers, including Johann Strauss Jr. and Franz Leh谩r, comprise the soundtrack Thomson and the OSO cultivated.
害羞草研究所淚n it害羞草研究所檚 early days, waltz was considered quite scandalous due to the close personal contact. If they could only see us now,害羞草研究所� Thomson laughed.
And, Thomson said, no Viennese Delight would be complete without ballroom dancers on stage. Vernon害羞草研究所檚 own City Dance Studio ballroom dancers Heather Stranks and Jens Goerner will grace the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage to accommodate such a requirement.
害羞草研究所淭hey will be there to bring the waltz to life,害羞草研究所� Thomson said of Stranks and Goerner.
While waltz is traditionally an instrumental form of music, the OSO take on these Viennese classics also features nine singers from the University of British Columbia Vancouver Opera Ensemble Studio to sing excerpts from two famous operettas: Leh谩r害羞草研究所檚 The Merry Widow and Strauss Jr.害羞草研究所檚 Die Fledermaus.
害羞草研究所淥perettas became a very big thing in Austria in the second half of the 1800s,害羞草研究所� Thomson said, adding that this will be the OSO害羞草研究所檚 third collaboration with the UBC Vancouver Opera Ensemble Studio. 害羞草研究所淭he quality (of the studio) is so high. Many of their graduates have gone on to lustrous careers.害羞草研究所�
The combination of all four components 害羞草研究所� the orchestra, City Dance Studio ballroom dancers, UBC Vancouver Opera Ensemble Studio singers and the greatest hits of 19th century Austria 害羞草研究所� is a match about which Thomson is personally excited.
害羞草研究所淓verybody loves that all the relationships work out in waltz. In the end, it害羞草研究所檚 very happy music,害羞草研究所� Thomson said of the composition choices. 害羞草研究所淚 think it was such that theatre was a place of real escapism, a place to go to have your spirits lifted. It害羞草研究所檚 so beautiful and I害羞草研究所檓 just instantly transported to a place with so much optimism.害羞草研究所�
To add to the illusion of pre-First World War Austria, the orchestra will take the stage in full ballroom regalia.
害羞草研究所淵ou have to imagine the ballroom full of dancers. It害羞草研究所檚 this formalized beauty,害羞草研究所� Thomson said, adding that the audience is also invited to don their ballroom-best.
With the beauty of ballroom dancing, Austrian operetta and waltz numbers, Thomson hopes the evening will act as an auditory transporter for the audience as it has previously done for her.
害羞草研究所淚t reminds me of being a kid and my dad would teach me to waltz by dancing with my feet on his. It害羞草研究所檚 a very nostalgic music,害羞草研究所� Thomson said.
害羞草研究所淚 hope people will come and be swept away.害羞草研究所�
The Okanagan Symphony presents Viennese Delights, the third installment of the OSO Masterworks series, at Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Jan. 21 at 7 p.m., at the Kelowna Community Theatre Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., and the Cleland Community Theatre Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $56.25 adult, $49 senior, $26.75 student and are available or in Vernon from the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, .
entertainment@vernonmorningstar.com
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