The Toledo Symphony announced today that it will unite orchestra musicians, dancers from Toledo Ballet, over 250 singers from BGSU and area elementary and junior high schools for the ProMedica Masterworks Series performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana on February 14th and 15th at the Peristyle Theater.
“This is an epic masterpiece that is a sonic and visual spectacular,” says Alain Trudel, Music Director of the Toledo Symphony. “Carl Orff, the composer of the piece, originally intended this work to be staged with a choral tour de force and dancers, so we saw the opportunity to bring together our friends and community partners to create amazing live art for the community by the community.”
“It’s a sensational work that looks at what happens when one abandons spirituality and seeks gratification through earthly temptations, like love, gluttony, and greed,” continues Trudel. “We’ve taken an artful approach to the storytelling. The colors and richness of this show is out of this world. It’s a feast for the senses.”
Featured soloists include soprano Holly Flack, tenor Christopher Pfund, and baritone Andrew Garland.
Holly Flack made her international debut at the Trentino Music Festival in Mezzano, Italy singing the role of Vixen in The Cunning Little Vixen. She has also performed with the Bel Canto Opera Festival, Astoria Opera Festival, and Operafestival di Roma. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from St. Olaf College, and a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky.
Christopher Pfund is known for his irreverent portrayals of the Roasting Swan in Carmina Burana, performing it with countless orchestras across North America. In recent seasons he has performed Carmina Burana with the symphony orchestras of Alabama, Des Moines, Cleveland, Colorado, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, and San Diego. A Colorado native, Pfund holds degrees from both the University of Northern Colorado and Manhattan School of Music.
Andrew Garland is widely recognized as a leader in recital work with dozens of performances around the country including Carnegie Hall with pianist Warren Jones and programs of modern American songs all over the Unites States and in Canada. In addition to sustaining a busy performance schedule, Garland has recently joined the voice faculty at The University of Colorado-Boulder.
Dancers from Toledo Ballet, including Colette Beans, Kaitlyn Boellner, Nora Light, Olivia Urban, Lauren Woodward, Jarrett Yearly, Sadie Evener, and Gabrielle Grossman, will be performing new choreography by Toledo Ballet Resident Choreographer Michael Lang.
Over 250 singers from Bowling Green State University choruses led by Mark Munson and an elementary school and junior high school honors chorus led by Nicole Spadafore from Perrysburg Schools complete the production.
Two performances of Carmina Burana will take place on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 8 PM at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at toledosymphony.com, by calling 419.246.8000, or by stopping by the box office at 1838 Parkwood Avenue.
For more information, please contact Felecia Kanney, Director of Marketing for the Toledo Symphony at fkanney@artstoledo.com.
