“Nutcracker for Kids”
Reinvigorating the cherished masterpiece created by Tchaikovsky, the Symphony collaborates with the talented dancers from Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT) and narrator Bree Burgess Rosen (as Mrs. Claus) to bring the ballet to life in a condensed 45-minute version, specially created for children ages 5-11.
Under the direction of the Symphony’s Assistant Conductor Maxim Eshkenazy—who conducts his final family concert and passes the baton to Alejandro Gutiérrez—the Symphony tells the tale of Clara, a girl who receives an extraordinary gift, a nutcracker that magically turns into a prince! (Gutiérrez makes his official debut as the Symphony’s new assistant conductor on Jan. 12, when he leads “The Magic Flute.”)
This seasonal favorite concludes with a holiday sing-along featuring the young members of Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings and a special guest—Santa Claus himself! Taking place Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, children are invited to participate in a festive Musical Carnival before and after the show.
The rich, emotional depth of the wide-hipped cello is exploited for all its worth in the hands of exquisite virtuoso Alisa Weilerstein, when she performs Dvořák’s standard-setting Cello Concerto with Pacific Symphony for “Alisa Weilerstein Plays Dvořák.” Acclaimed worldwide for her “soulful expression and physical abandon” (New York Times), Weilerstein won the 2011 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, granted to individuals who have shown exceptional merit and promise of continued creative work.
She is the first cellist in more than 30 years to be signed by Decca Classics, which released her debut album at the end of October. Led by guest conductor Alexander Shelley, Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra’s chief conductor, the Symphony opens the program with festive melodies of Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks,” followed by Debussy’s magical depiction of the sea, “La Mer.”
“Alisa Weilerstein Plays Dvořák” takes place Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 6-8, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the concert includes a preview talk with Alan Chapman beginning at 7 p.m.
Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, led by Music Director Joshua Roach (under the direction of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair), opens its sixth season with a vibrant collection of American music—including Gershwin’s classic “An American in Paris” for concert band. Taking place Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m., in San Juan Capistrano, the concert begins with a new piece by Maestro Roach, titled “Overture Dodeca,” and the ensemble also showcases John Mackey’s “Hymn to a Blue Hour,” which poetically captures the fleeting moment when sunset meets twilight.
Timeless melodies paired with a choir of heavenly voices celebrate the beauty and revelation of the season during Pacific Symphony’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” now a cherished Orange County tradition. Rejoice to thundering trumpets, triumphant timpani and the spine-tingling “Hallelujah” chorus as Pacific Chorale’s Artistic Director John Alexander leads the orchestra, Pacific Chorale and esteemed vocal soloists Kiera Duffy, soprano; Jane Shim, mezzo-soprano; Norman Shankle, tenor; and Stephen Morscheck, bass. Handel’s radiant masterpiece conjures a feeling of joy that reminds audiences of the peace in humanity—a message of inspiration to all.
“Messiah” takes place Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.
ALSO—check out our redesigned Pacific Symphony newsletter SoundWave:http://www.pacificsymphony.org/main.taf?p=8,6,3 (Click on the small photos to bring up the next story.) Sign up at the bottom to receive it each month.
Jayce Keane
Director of Public Relations
Pacific Symphony
3631 S. Harbor Blvd. Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Direct: 714/ 876-2383 │Tickets: 714/ 755-5799
