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RFH 2010, HamilTunes

An American in Paris a Concert in the Chapel

Wed, Mar 31, 2010

An American in Paris a Concert in the Chapel

For the final concert of the 2009-2010 season, the Colgate University Orchestra, Marietta Cheng, conductor will perform Gershwin's An American in Paris and Bizet's Carmen Suite No. 1 on Sunday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the Colgate Memorial Chapel.

The concert is free and the public is invited.

Gershwin, the American popular songwriter for a long line of hit songs from 1919-37, combined the blues, jazz, big band and the symphony orchestra in this work about an American tourist in Paris. It was the inspiration for the 1951 MGM musical of the same name, starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron and directed by Vincente Minelli with the story written by Alan Jay Lerner. The film, An American in Paris, which had show stopping dance numbers and included the songs: I Got Rhythm, Our Love is Here to Stay and 'S Wonderful, won six Oscars.

The opera, Carmen was considered scandalous in 1875, because it told the story of a seductive woman who flaunts her power over men and is finally murdered by a jealous lover. Since Carmen is today one of the world's most performed operas, many of the arias are widely known and loved, for example, Les Toreadors.

Also on the program will be the Suite from the Ballet Sylvia by Leo Delibes. The renowned ballet's story was taken from Greek mythology about the love of the humble shepherd Aminta for the beautiful nymph Sylvia. Only through the intercession of Cupid and Diana are the lovers finally brought together.

The suite includes the oft-heard Pizzicato number and the March of Bacchus.

Finally, this concert will be the stage for three concerto winners:

  • Mozart Flute Concerto No. 2 first movement, Sarah Gerd, '12, flute,
  • Bartok Rumanian Folk Dances, five numbers, Benjamin Bernstein, '10, violin,
  • and Schumann Adagio and Allegro, Vivo, Samantha Newmark, '10, horn.

This will also be the final concert of seniors:

  • Benjamin Bernstein, violin,
  • Moana Fogg, clarinet,
  • Samantha Newmark, French horn,
  • and Michael Petersen, trumpet.

This concert is free and all are welcome.

Source: Colgate

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