American Dreams Classical Encounters with Orchestra of the Swan

Tue 19 Feb 2008 7:30pm at Town Hall

What could be more American than a story of pioneering spirit as portrayed in Appalachian Spring or their love affair with the moviesâ¦Copland’s music captures both brilliantly. Samuel Barber’s setting of James Agee’s remarkable prose poem Knoxville: summer of 1915, depicts a dreamy summer evening as seen through the eyes of a small child, both text and music appear deceptively simple yet are astonishingly beautiful. Based in Birmingham Joanna Lee is establishing a fine reputation with work performed by BCMG among others. One of her key inspiration is Luciano Berio, and his warmth and lightness-of-touch and her new work will be a perfect foil for the Samuel Barber. The soloist for both works is Jane Manning, one of the UK’s most highly regarded and singers.

‘....Orchestra of the Swan ought to give masterclasses in how to build audiences, a genuine empathy between the musicians and their listeners; programming is an exciting blend….conductor David Curtis can be found mingling with the punters….nothing could be further from the ivory tower….’ Birmingham Post

Supported by KPMG and Arts Council England

www.orchestraoftheswan.org

Tickets: £22.50 (£21), £17.50 (£16), £12.50 (£11.50), £8.50 (£7.50), choir benches £6.50 (no concession)
Concessions for patrons aged 60 and above
10% discount available to patrons buying tickets for three concerts, 20% available to patrons buying tickets for all six concerts

Conductor – David Curtis
Soprano – Jane Manning

Copland – Music for the Movies
Joanna Lee – New work**
Barber – Knoxville: summer of 1915
Copland – Appalachian Spring

Orchestra of the Swan commission and world premiere

Pre-concert talk taking place in the auditorium at 6.30pm
Post-concert Conversation Club taking place in the Circle Bar 15 minutes after the end of the performance.
Entrance free to concert ticket holders

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