(Editor's note: This story was produced by the Akron Symphony.)
The Akron Symphony Orchestra season opens on Sept. 15 with its first Classics Series concert featuring some of the best loved music of the stage. Maestro Christopher Wilkins will launch the 2012-2013 season of the Akron Symphony with an energetic opening night program featuring Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3, Strauss's youthful tone poem, Don Juan and Tchaikovsky's popular 5th symphony. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 at The University of Akron's EJ Thomas Hall. Previews from the Podium, a program discussion with Maestro Wilkins, will precede the concert at 7 p.m.
"All three works fit easily into the category of best loved music of all time," said Maestro Christopher Willkins, music director and conductor of the Akron Symphony Orchestra. "One thing you can count on at opening night is that the musicians of the Akron Symphony will create the wow factor all night long."
Beethoven's Leonore Oveture No. 3 condenses the story of his opera Fidelio into a single movement. Its ecstatic and inspirational tone is considered by many to be quintessential Beethoven. This will be followed by Strauss's Don Juan, which careens from adventure to conquest and back again. Its dazzling orchestration makes it one of the greatest of all orchestral showpieces. Following intermission, the Akron Symphony will charge forth with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, which has been called theater of the mind with its noble marches, sad waltzes, and yearning music of love that spin a tale of the psyche and the heart.
"Beethoven, Strauss and Tchaikovsky were all men of theater," Wilkins said. "They all excelled in writing for ballet, opera and theater, so it's fitting to bring them together in this Opening Night concert. It sets the stage for the rest of our season."
Tickets for opening night are on sale now and range from $22-$52 each with discounts available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Season tickets are also still available. New season ticket buyers get 50 percent off both the Classics Series and Pops Series packages. To order tickets, call 330-535-8131 or visit www.akronsymphony.org where a complete concert calendar and program notes can also be found.
The Akron Symphony appreciates its sponsors, including Opening Night Concert Sponsor, Goodyear, Media Partners 89.7FM WKSU and Akron Life, Previews from the Podium Sponsor, Audio Technica, and the Ohio Arts Council, which helps fund Akron Symphony concerts with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
For more than 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is committed to enhancing the quality of life of our community through educational and musical excellence. The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association, Inc. (GAMA). GAMA's vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all people to experience great music. This vision is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.
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