Bangor, ME – The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s season finale on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at the Collins Center for the Arts will offer a musical tour of Italy. Respighi’s Pines of Rome will close the program, which also features Rossini’s ever-popular Overture to The Barber of Seville and Busoni’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D, performed by soloist Frank Almond.
Violinist Frank Almond holds the Charles and Marie Caestecker Concertmaster Chair at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Now celebrating his 20th season with the MSO, he has also held positions as Concertmaster of the Rotterdam Philharmonic with Valery Gergiev and Guest Concertmaster of the London Philharmonic with Kurt Masur. In addition, he maintains an active schedule of solo and chamber music performances in the US and abroad. The works of Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924), acclaimed in his day, are rarely performed on the modern concert stage, and hearing his first violin concerto will be a unique treat for audience members.
Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville is known by many from the famous ‘Rabbit of Seville’ cartoon with Bugs Bunny and will open the program. Puccini’s Capriccio Sinfonico will open the second half of the program, utilizing themes from La Boheme, performed by the BSO in 2016. Respighi’s Pines of Rome is a travelogue through his beloved city, known for its powerful use of brass and inventive depictions of birdsong and more.
The UBS Pre-Concert Talk will be held at 2 p.m. before the performance at 3 p.m. The program’s guest artist sponsor is Loving Touch In-Home Care, and the media sponsor is Maine Public Classical. Tickets range from $19 to $49 and are available at bangorsymphony.org or by phone at (800) 622-TIXX. Student tickets are available for $14, and the Know Your Orchestra! Voucher Program offers discounts for families attending with children K-12.