Calgary Philharmonic mounts production of Mozart and Beethoven Feb. 17 & 18
Conductor Bernard Labadie and pianist Benedetto Lupo are featured
Conductor Bernard Labadie during rehearsal.
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the classics with the exuberant “Classical Vienna: Mozart & Beethoven,” Feb. 17 and 18 at 8pm at EPCOR CENTRE’s Jack Singer Concert Hall.
The concert will feature two of the world’s most renowned interpreters of these masters’ works – conductor Bernard Labadie and pianist Benedetto Lupo.
One of Canada’s most successful conductors, Maestro Labadie has established himself worldwide as one of the leading conductors of Baroque and Classical repertoire. Known for shaping the orchestral performance to sound just like it did in Mozart and Beethoven’s time, Maestro Labadie will take audiences back to another era of beauty and brilliance.
Acclaimed Italian pianist Benedetto Lupo, known for his fine touch and subtle poetry, is featured in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Mozart’s lively and graceful Rondo in D Major for Piano and Orchestra.
The repertoire also includes Beethoven’s dramatic Coriolan Overture, written about the legendary Roman General of Shakespeare’s literary tragedy; and Mozart’s instantly recognizable Symphony No. 40.
Making this a particularly special occasion, the CPO will have on display its exquisitely preserved, original vocal score of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Published in 1791, the year of Mozart’s death, it predates the publication of the full orchestral score by ten years.
Extremely rare, another copy of this score was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2006. According to Sotheby’s documentation, there were only six copies of the score known to exist.
The Don Giovanni score was donated to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005 by Mrs. Anne Zoumer. It was one of many significant musical scores that belonged to her husband’s father, Jacob Zoumer, who was a professor at the University of Bonn and a composer in his own right.
Patrons are invited to arrive early for a 7:10 p.m. pre-concert chat in the Jack Singer Concert Hall lobby, where they will learn more about the music and composers being featured in the program. The pre-concert chat is hosted by CPO bassoonist Michael Hope with CPO Chorus Master Timothy Shantz, and directly following the concert, double bassist Matthew Heller and Laura Reid of the first violin section will host Afterthoughts with special guests.
Tickets and information for this live music experience through the CPO Box Office at 403.571.0849 or online at cpo-live.com.
Labadie has established himself worldwide as one of the leading conductors of the Baroque and Classical repertoire, a reputation that is closely tied with Les Violons du Roy and La Chapelle de Québec which he founded and continues to lead as Music Director to this day.
Ever since his triumphant debut with the Minnesota Orchestra in 1999, Labadie has become a sought-after guest conductor with major North American orchestras, including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the symphony orchestras of Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, many of them on a regular basis.
Lupo has been described by critics as an “exceptionally fine pianist … who has a remarkably fine touch and beautiful tone control” (The Oregonian). Praised for his “keen musical intelligence and probing intellect” (Miami Herald), and for combining “meticulous technique with romantic sensitivity” (Birmingham News), he has gained worldwide recognition.
He performed at numerous music festivals worldwide, including the Tivoli in Copenhagen, the Villa Medici in Rome, the Chopin Festival in Poland, the Schubert Festivals in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and Chicago’s Grant Park Festival.
Lupo teaches at the Nino Rota Conservatory in Italy, gives master classes around the world, and has served on the jury of both the Cleveland International Competition and the Gina Bachauer Competition in Salt Lake City, from which he previously won second and third prize, respectively.
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra gratefully acknowledges Season sponsors Nexen and the Calgary Herald; Naomi and John Lacey Virtuoso Program; Derer Law; Symphony Six – Letha J. MacLachlan, Q.C. & John Ridge; The Fairmont Palliser; Lite 95.9.
Led by internationally renowned Music Director Roberto Minczuk, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has been a cornerstone of Calgary’s multi-faceted arts community since 1955 and is one of North America’s finest and most versatile live music ensembles.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Markham began his journalism career writing columns in the mid-1980s for Western People Magazine, then reported for a small Saskatchewan daily. He has spent most of his career in media and communications, likes to dabble in politics, was actively involved in economic development for many years, thinks that what goes on in the community is just as important as what happens provincially and nationally, and has a soft spot for small business (big business, not so much). Markham is a bit of a contrarian and usually has a unique take on the events of the day.
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