Final Music Unwound program of the 2013-14 (35th anniversary) season includes powerhouse voices of the Pacific Chorale, world-class soloists and Children’s Chorus
“Inside and Out” Plazacast: “Carmina Burana” projected on outside
wall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for free community event;
community ensembles kick off evening at 5 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m., June 7
Sunday Connections concert, “Carmina Burana Discovered,” further
explores Carl Orff’s masterpiece, June 8
Haunting melodies and sweet, euphonious voices combine to create a deeply moving, life-affirming evening of music, as Pacific Symphony dives into spiritual depths in preparation for Carl Orff’s masterful oratorio, “Carmina Burana.”
Weaving together lyrics that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, “Carmina Burana” is brazen with its gleeful double entendre and is made even more decadent with the magnificent voices of soprano Cyndia Sieden, tenor Marc Molomot and baritone Michael Kelly joining the orchestra.
Led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, the Symphony paves the way for Orff’s masterful work by performing John Williams’ “Exsultate Justi,” Lukas Foss’ “Elegy for Anne Frank,” Charles Ives’ “The Unanswered Question” and Kathy C. Bowen’s “I Believe in God.” Pacific Chorale, led by Artistic Director John Alexander, lends its voices to enhance the majestic sounds, while Southern California Children’s Chorus represents the voices of children during World War II.
This program is the final installment of the Symphony’s highly praised Music Unwound series, focused on non-traditional formats, audience engagement and multimedia content.
The brainchild of Maestro St.Clair, Music Unwound concerts are underwritten by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The June 5-6 performances are underwritten by the Shanbrom Family Foundation, longtime investors in classical music performances in Orange County.
Stage director Eric Einhorn and videographer Paul DiPierro (the same team behind the inventive staging for 2013’s opera production, “Tosca”) have joined forces to visually enhance the program’s music.
Through art, video and costumes evocative of World War II, as well as the music, the theme of children’s unwavering hope and optimism, and humanity’s persistence to seek faith amid suffering is juxtaposed against the horrors of the Holocaust.
Einhorn arranged for children’s artwork from the Holocaust to be projected above the stage, while other segments feature video content of a family’s journey by train as they relive memories of the home they were forced to leave behind.
Experience an evening of history and mastery on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, June 5-7, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Tickets are $25-$99. Continue the excitement and investigate Orff’s work further during Sunday Connections’ “Carmina Burana Discovered,” taking place June 8, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25-$85. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
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
