08/31/2007

Season debut features Mozart

Traverse Symphony Orchestra season will feature several guest artists, conductors

By Tom Carr

tcarr@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse Symphony Orchestra will start its 56th season on Saturday, Sept. 8, with a selection of Mozart operatic pieces.

It won't be the first time the group has called in professional voices to pay tribute to the opera.

"Two years ago, we did an opera gala with pieces by Verdi, Wagner, Puccini,” music director Kevin Rhodes said. "I was wanting to do that kind of program again.”

The show will feature five vocal soloists: sopranos Kimberley Dolanski and Ollie Watts Davis, mezzo-soprano Stacy Eckert, tenor Eric Ashcraft and baritone Robin Buck.

The five will sing selections from such operas as "The Marriage of Figaro,” "The Magic Flute,” "Abduction from the Seraglio,” "Don Giovanni” and others.

"Most people regard Mozart's operatic pieces as his greatest achievement, so this is really a chance to play the best of the best,” Rhodes said.

He's excited about the rest of the coming season, as well, he added.

"We have some spectacular guest artists and guest conductors coming,” Rhodes said.

The lineup includes violinist Frank Almond returning to lead a program for chamber orchestra, pianist Kathryn Brown performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, Rhodes leading the orchestra's first-ever complete performance of Handel's "Messiah,” and pianist Ralph Votapek playing Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2” for the season finale.

On the pops side, Ronald Foster — a conductor, composer, arranger and saxophonist from Milwaukee — will be featured on the annual "Home for the Holidays” concert; and soprano Diane Penning will partner with conductor and clarinetist John Varineau in "Hollywood's Greatest Melodies.”

The concert marks the earliest start ever to the orchestra's season, said Andrew Buelow, executive director. It usually starts in late September.

The intent is to make it easier for seasonal residents and visitors to attend.

The concert will take place in the City Opera House, one of three main venues the orchestra uses. The group performed last season's finale in the newly renovated Victorian showplace, and sold out three shows.

"It's just a great place and the musical experience there is so much more immediate for the audience and for the orchestra,” Rhodes said. "It's very appropriate for Mozart.”

Buelow said tickets to the season opening performances are going fast.

The concerts are scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 and for 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Tickets are $36, $29 and $19, depending on the seats, and can be purchased by calling 947-7120 or visiting www.tso-online.org.