June H. Edwards Mosaic Series

Experience the timeless beauty of Copland’s iconic masterpiece, Appalachian Spring, as it vividly portrays the American landscape. Kojiro Umezaki joins the Symphony as he uses the shakuhachi to transform the landscape imagined in Angel Lam’s Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain, and Takuma Itoh’s Faded Aura.   Program KOJIRO UMEZAKI (Cycles) What Falls Must Rise ANGEL LAM Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain I. Silent Field II. Rain TAKUMA ITOH Faded Aura COPLAND Appalachian Spring I. Very Slowly II. Allegro III. Moderato IV. Quite Fast V. Subito Allegro VI. Meno Mosso VII. Doppio movimento VIII. Coda. Moderato  Program Notes (Cycles) What Falls Must Rise KOJIRO UMEZAKI Born: 1968, Tokyo, Japan Composed: 2009 Premiered: 2009, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire Duration: 13 –14 minutes As the reference to cycles in the title suggests, the setup for this piece is one of perpetually constrained motion with high and low points, which, on the surface, seems antithetical to notions of enlightenment and transcendence. Nevertheless, in the original work commissioned in 2009 by the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College and written for shakuhachi and the ground-breaking string quartet Brooklyn Rider, a descent inspired by the “Sagariha” melody is followed by modes and rhythms lying somewhere between the foreign and familiar, ascending in energy only to arrive back again at the top, ready for the inevitable next iteration of falling and rising again. This 2024 arrangement of Cycles: What Falls Must Rise for orchestra starts somewhere in the cycle and ends elsewhere, the exact points to be revealed in the performance.  – Kojiro Umezaki, 2024 Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain ANGEL LAM Born: August 2, 1978, Hong Kong Composed: 2006 Premiered: 2006, Carnegie Hall, New York, New York Duration: 13-14 minutes Angel Lam, New York-based Hong Kongborn composer, has composed for artists and ensembles such as Yo-Yo Ma, Aldo Parisot, The Silk Road Ensemble, and many others. She shares, “This piece is ...

Embark on a journey of passion and betrayal with Giacomo Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, Tosca. Join us as the Symphony, South Bend Lyric Opera, and South Bend Chamber Singers reunite for two unforgettable performances. Program Tosca GIACOMO PUCCINI Born: December 22, 1858, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy Died: November 29, 1924, Brussels, Belgium Composed: 1897-1899 Premiered: January 14, 1900, Rome, Italy Tosca is a riveting, three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, featuring an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Drawing inspiration from Victorien Sardou’s play La Tosca, it is set against the backdrop of Rome in June 1800, a period of intense political upheaval as Napoleon’s invasion threatens the Kingdom of Naples’ grip on the city. Tosca epitomizes verismo opera with its intense drama and vivid orchestration. The tragic tale follows Floria Tosca, a famed singer, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, and the villainous police chief, Baron Scarpia. Set in Rome during June 1800, the narrative delves into themes of love, jealousy, political intrigue, and betrayal, all brought to life by Puccini’s evocative score. The opera features some of Puccini’s most renowned arias, such as “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle,” which beautifully convey the characters’ emotional turmoil. These pivotal moments, like a direct window into the character’s innermost feelings, serve to enhance the dramatic impact, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued. Tosca’s premiere was a dramatic event, delayed due to political unrest in Rome. Despite this, it quickly became one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. Its lyrical and dramatic elements continue to captivate audiences and performers alike. The enduring appeal of Tosca is a testament to Puccini’s ability to convey profound human emotions through masterful orchestration and vocal expression. This intricate mix of intense drama and exquisite music makes it a timeless piece, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire. Tosca is not just a tale of romance and ...

Embark on a journey of passion and betrayal with Giacomo Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, Tosca. Join us as the Symphony, South Bend Lyric Opera, and South Bend Chamber Singers reunite for two unforgettable performances. Program Tosca GIACOMO PUCCINI Born: December 22, 1858, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy Died: November 29, 1924, Brussels, Belgium Composed: 1897-1899 Premiered: January 14, 1900, Rome, Italy Tosca is a riveting, three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, featuring an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Drawing inspiration from Victorien Sardou’s play La Tosca, it is set against the backdrop of Rome in June 1800, a period of intense political upheaval as Napoleon’s invasion threatens the Kingdom of Naples’ grip on the city. Tosca epitomizes verismo opera with its intense drama and vivid orchestration. The tragic tale follows Floria Tosca, a famed singer, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, and the villainous police chief, Baron Scarpia. Set in Rome during June 1800, the narrative delves into themes of love, jealousy, political intrigue, and betrayal, all brought to life by Puccini’s evocative score. The opera features some of Puccini’s most renowned arias, such as “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle,” which beautifully convey the characters’ emotional turmoil. These pivotal moments, like a direct window into the character’s innermost feelings, serve to enhance the dramatic impact, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued. Tosca’s premiere was a dramatic event, delayed due to political unrest in Rome. Despite this, it quickly became one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. Its lyrical and dramatic elements continue to captivate audiences and performers alike. The enduring appeal of Tosca is a testament to Puccini’s ability to convey profound human emotions through masterful orchestration and vocal expression. This intricate mix of intense drama and exquisite music makes it a timeless piece, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire. Tosca is not just a tale of romance and ...