From baroque legend Antonio Vivaldi to opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, to compostional poet Ottorino Respighi, Italy害羞草研究所檚 influence on the world of classical music is as coveted as their presence in the culinary world.

In honour of such Italian greats, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Viva L害羞草研究所橧talia 害羞草研究所� the fourth performance of the Chase Wines Masterworks series 害羞草研究所� in Kelowna Feb. 16, Penticton Feb. 17 and Vernon Feb. 18.

害羞草研究所淭his is the perfect Valentine害羞草研究所檚 Day gift for anyone who forgot it害羞草研究所檚 Valentine害羞草研究所檚 Day,害羞草研究所� said OSO music director Rosemary Thomson. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a good show for someone who might be new to classical music.害羞草研究所�

The performance kicks off with the slow, dramatic intro of Verdi害羞草研究所檚 opera Nabucco 害羞草研究所� one of the renowned composer害羞草研究所檚 most well-known compisitions, if not by name, then sound 害羞草研究所� and quickly builds into orchestral thunder.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 just a great feeling with it,害羞草研究所� Thomson said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a fun piece and a great way to open the show.害羞草研究所�

Verdi, born 1813 in rural Italy, rose to fame through his operas that championed the Risorgimento movement, better known as the unification of Italy, and served a brief term as elected politician.

害羞草研究所淚n his day, he was like the national hero of Italy,害羞草研究所� Thomson said. 害羞草研究所淗is music kind of brought the country together and became like the anthem of Italy. He害羞草研究所檚 still super popular around the world.害羞草研究所�

Picking up the brass alongside the OSO in Viva L害羞草研究所橧talia is German-born Canadian trumpeter Jens Lindemann. Now based in Los Angeles, Lindemann is the only solo brass player to be awarded with the Order of Canada and has performed at Carnegie Hall and for Queen Elizabeth II.

害羞草研究所淟indemann is a thundering trumpet player,害羞草研究所� Thomson said. 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 nothing he can害羞草研究所檛 do on the trumpet.害羞草研究所�

To showcase the UCLA teacher害羞草研究所檚 natural flair and virtuosity, Lindemann will ring through three short concertos: two baroque pieces and one finely-tuned concerto, crafted specifically for Lindemann害羞草研究所檚 talent.

Armed with a piccolo trumpet, the smallest of it害羞草研究所檚 kind that rocks one octave higher than its standard-tuned cousin, Lindemann will perform a baroque concerto by Tomaso Albinoni.

害羞草研究所淲hen its in the hands of a master, the sound (of a piccolo trumpet) is beautiful,害羞草研究所� Thomson said of the high octave achieved on the brass. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 never shrill.害羞草研究所�

Joining forces with Lindemann on Vivaldi害羞草研究所檚 Concerto for Two Trumpets is OSO principal trumpet Audrey Patterson.

害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檚 really an amazing trumpet player,害羞草研究所� Thomson said of Patterson while humming to the tune in perfect pitch. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 hard for people to recognize music in print. Once they hear it, they go, 害羞草研究所極h. I害羞草研究所檝e heard this.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

However, Lindemann害羞草研究所檚 expertise doesn害羞草研究所檛 remain solely in the world of classical music, Thomson said.

Written by Alan Gilliland specifically to showcase Lindemann害羞草研究所檚 talent, Dreaming of the Masters rounds off the trumpeter害羞草研究所檚 three concertos with the OSO.

害羞草研究所淭his piece has nothing to do with Italy,害羞草研究所� Thomson laughed. 害羞草研究所淗e (Gilliland) wrote it specifically for Jens knowing what he can do virtuosically. It was sort of a tip of the hat to past greats of the jazz world.害羞草研究所�

Like a true jazz standard should, Dreaming of the Masters leaves room for Lindemann to imrprovise, bending the tune to the current vibe.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 really a lot of fun,害羞草研究所� Thomson said. 害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 wait to dig into this piece.害羞草研究所�

As Lindemann closes off his jazz swing, the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra will grace the stage alongside the OSO, for a grand total of 120 players, to end the performance with Respighi害羞草研究所檚 grandiose compositional poem, Pines of Rome.

The 22-minute, four-movement tone poem tells stories of Italy through the common-ground of pine trees, beginning with Pines of Villa Borghese, followed by The Pines Near a Catacomb, The Pines of the Janiculum and finally The Pines of the Appian Way.

Moreover, Respighi害羞草研究所檚 composition marks the high point in the OSYO program: the opportunity for kids to take up their instruments alongside professionals.

害羞草研究所淚t would be like starring a pee-wee team in the NHL,害羞草研究所� Thomson said, adding that the kids learn both consciously and through osmosis. 害羞草研究所淭he kids bring this wonderful energy. It害羞草研究所檚 palpable. It changes everything and the audience rides the waves.害羞草研究所�

Prior to the OSO performance in Kelowna Friday night, 250 middle school band students have the opportunity to participate in 75-minute clinics in their instrument of choice led by OSO and OSYO players. While the clinics are currently only available in Kelowna, Thomson said she hopes to expand the program to Penticton and Vernon as well.

Hours after the clinics are done and the OSO and OSYO closes the show with The Pines of the Appian Way movement, Thomson said she hopes the performance will be a memorable one.

害羞草研究所淚 think this is a show that will be really delightful,害羞草研究所� Thomson said. 害羞草研究所淏y the end of that piece, we will blow the roof off the theatre.害羞草研究所�

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Viva L害羞草研究所橧talia at the Kelowna Community Theatre Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Penticton害羞草研究所檚 Cleland Theatre Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $56.25 adult, $49 senior and $26.75 student and are available at .