Music Director Tsung Yeh will kick off his farewell season with the Masterworks Series performance of Symphonie Fantastique on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. at the Morris Performing Arts Center.
The concert will open with a piece commissioned by the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and written by former Orchestra tuba player Jerry Lackey. Titled Celebration 150, the piece celebrates the city’s 150th anniversary, which makes this performance an official SB150 event.
The title work, Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14 will close the performance. It was written by Hector Berlioz as an extravagant attempt to win the affection of an Irish actress, Harriet Smithson. Their romance takes as many twists and turns as the symphony itself. The piece moves from the tender melody of flirting violins and flute to a frenzy in the final movement likened to a satanic dream, representing the composer’s conflicting emotions as he struggled to attract Smithson’s attention.
The orchestra also welcomes Canadian Brass member Brandon Ridenour who will perform virtuoso showpieces for trumpet by Arutunian and Paganini. While not yet 30 years old, Ridenour has performed all over the globe with the iconic Canadian Brass and recorded three solo albums, the latest of which features his own arrangements for trumpet and piano. He also is a founding member of the songwriting chamber ensemble, Founders, which released its first album, “You & Who,” in March of this year.
Tickets start at $18 and are on sale at The Morris Box Office, by phone at 800.537.6415 or online at www.MorrisCenter.org. The Morris Box Office is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets also can be purchased at Hammes Bookstore/Eddy Street Commons, O’Brien Recreation Center and TG Music in Goshen. Tickets for full-time students are always $8 with photo ID.
This concert is sponsored by Jack Champaigne with guest artist underwriting by Mutual Wealth Management Group.