Kudos to the American Chamber Orchestra as they embark on their sixth year as one of the community's stellar performing organizations. This fine group of 65 local musicians commuting from various cities and towns throughout the state, will be presenting their final concert of the season on Saturday May 30, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield. The musical offerings include Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg and Symphony #8 in G major by Antonin Dvořák.
Familiar to all as a string teacher at Greens Farms Academy and the Westport School of Music and as Music Director of the Civic Orchestra of New Haven and the Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra, Christopher James Hisey will be on the podium. This talented conductor is well credentialed with a Bachelors Degree from the Eastman School of Music, a Masters Degree in Conducting from Bowling Green University and international appearances with various orchestras include the Ruse Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pleven Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Klassika Symphony, formerly the Leningrad State Philharmonic.
Tchaikovsky's symphonic poem was based on Shakespeare's masterwork depicting the tumultous relationship of the Montagues and Capulets. Grieg's Holberg Suite, a piece that showcases the string section of the orchestra, was written in honor of the bicentenary of the birth of the Norwegian dramatist Ludvig Holberg. Dvořák's symphony is derived from Bohemian folk music that was so dear to the composer's heart.
To whet your appetite, be sure to check out these musical works from the CD collection of the Westport Public Library.
