Gospel and classical traditions will merge at “Living the Dream,” the Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s 10th Annual Concert celebrating the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the Hopewell Baptist Church in Windsor, CT. Sponsored by a generous donation from Travelers, this uplifting celebration of the human spirit will feature an all-star lineup of guest performers, including:
• Actors from the Hartford Stage Company exploring the progress America has made over the past 40 years towards the fulfillment of “The Dream,” through the iconic words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President-Elect Barack Obama
• Soprano Rosa Betancourt, mezzo-soprano Rachael Hauge, tenor Evan McCormack, baritone Joel Herold, and guest conductor Willie Anthony Waters from Connecticut Opera singing music from their upcoming performance of Puccini’s La Boheme as set in New York’s Harlem district
• Violinist Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, winner of the 2008 Sphinx Organization Competition
• More than 50 voices from a community choir consisting of local churches and The Hartford Choral
• Soprano Lydia McCleane and tenor Miguel Vazquez from The Hartt School
15-year-old violinist Clayton Penrose-Whitmore is the First Place Junior Division Laureate in the 2008 eleventh annual Sphinx Competition presented by Chase. Clayton Penrose- Whitmore performs with the Hartford Symphony as part of the Sphinx Professional Development Program. He was a soloist at the Sphinx Orchestra’s Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall in September 2007, a performance that the New York Times described as a “polished presentation… notable for its lilting pulse and dynamic contrast.” The Sphinx Organization is a national non-profit arts and youth development organization committed to building diversity in classical music through year-round educational programming and arts presentation.
Currently Artistic Director of Connecticut Opera, Maestro Willie Anthony Waters has conducted numerous noteworthy productions for the company, including the Arena production of Aida in 1991, Otello in 1997, Porgy and Bess in 1998, and Salome in 2003. In May, 2005, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Hartford/The Hartt School for his contributions to the musical life of the city of Hartford. Maestro Waters is a frequent guest panelist on the quiz of the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, and hosts a monthly program, “Looking Through the Opera Glasses” on Beethoven Radio.
The Hartford Chorale is the primary symphonic chorus for the Greater Hartford community, particularly in its critically acclaimed collaborations with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Through its concerts and collaborations with the Hartford Symphony and other organizations, the Chorale seeks to reach and inspire the widest possible audience with exceptional performances of a broad range of choral literature, including renowned choral masterpieces. -- www.hartfordsymphony.org
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
