An open-air performance at a prior River Concert in St. Mary's City.
ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. (May 26, 2009) — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) River Concert Series prepares for its 11th year of summer evening entertainment for the community, opening with a celebration of Maryland’s 375th birthday. On Friday evenings, from June 19 through July 31, as well as on Saturday, June 20, local residents can enjoy world-class music and food from local vendors. Gates open at 5 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m.
Under the musical direction of Jeffrey Silberschlag, the Chesapeake Orchestra will feature renowned guest artists, with two fireworks displays this year over the St. Mary’s River. The concerts are free and open to the public, and picnic baskets are welcome.
Silberschlag, music director and conductor of the River Concert Series, Chesapeake Orchestra, and the Italian Alba Music Festival, has recorded with the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Warsaw Philharmonic and Czech Radio Orchestra. His performances have been hailed by European critics as thrilling, compelling and outstanding. Silberschlag has collaborated with such artists as Hilary Hahn, Lara St. John, Terence Blanchard, the Ahn Trio, and Jane Monheit.
June 19: Maryland 375th Birthday Weekend Celebration (Friday):
Join Martin O’Malley’s band, O’Malley’s March, for a celebration of Maryland’s 375th birthday. O’Malley’s March will perform Celtic rock songs written by O’Malley. The Chesapeake Orchestra will perform the world premiere of Maryland composer N. Lincoln-DeCusatis’ commissioned symphonic work “Terrae Mariae: A Creation Story,” which features distinguished Marylanders as narrators. Scottish soprano Marie Claire Breen and world-renowned trumpeter John Wallace, who played at the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana in 1981, will join the Chesapeake Orchestra in a performance of music by Biber, Vivaldi, Albinoni, and Handel. Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “The New World” will also be features.
June 20: Maryland 375th Birthday Weekend Celebration (Saturday, special night):
Anne Akiko Meyers is celebrated as one of the world’s premiere concert violinists, having performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Meyers will perform Barber’s Concerto for Violin plus popular selections, including Gershwin’s “Summertime” and other favorites, such as “Barbers of Seville” and “Autumn in New York.” The celebration of Maryland’s 375th birthday continues with the world premiere of Maryland composer N. Lincoln-DeCusatis’ “Terrae Mariae: A Creation Story” narrated by Congressman Steny Hoyer and others. College English professor Jennifer Cognard-Black has created an inspiring script told in the voice of the early Maryland settlers. “Although Catholics are often the masters, and Protestants often the servants, here in Mary Land, they plow the fertile field together and meet in the Assembly in friendship,” early Maryland settler George Alsop wrote in 1666. Scottish soprano Marie Claire Breen and world-renowned trumpeter John Wallace, who is the official trumpeter for Prince Charles, will join the Chesapeake Orchestra in a performance of music by Biber, Vivaldi, Albinoni, and Handel. Handel’s “Royal Fireworks” will play to live fireworks over the St. Mary’s River.
June 26: Uncommon Men:
The night’s selections include Copland’s Symphony No. 3 “Fanfare for the Common Man”; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4; and Hayden’s Flute Concerto in D major, featuring world renowned flutist Giuseppe Nova.
July 3: It’s a ’50’s Fourth:
Acclaimed jazz vocalist Hilary Kole, voice of New York City’s premiere jazz club, Birdland, will perform ‘50’s classics with the Chesapeake Orchestra. Her selections include “My Fair Lady,” “Three Coins in the Fountains,” and Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore.” The Independence Day celebration will also include Sousa’s “Marches,” Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and fireworks.
July 10: An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein:
Guest conductor Larry Vote is joined by Diane Atherton, soprano; Olivia Vote, mezzo soprano; Steven Cramer, tenor; and Robert McDonald, baritone, for a performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music. Among others, songs from “The King and I,” “Oklahoma,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Carousel,” will be performed.
July 17: The Young and the Gifted:
Featured principal players of the Maryland Youth Symphony and St. Mary’s County Arts Council soloists, Zach Silberschlag and Katherine Heilman perform with the Chesapeake Orchestra. Selections include Rimsky Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture, Riisager’s Concertino for Trumpet, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.
July 24: The Real Deal:
This evening’s selections include Rossini’s “La gazza ladra Overture”; Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring pianist Maurizio Moretti; and Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life).”
July 31: The Big Finish:
The grand finale features Bernstein’s “Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs” and “West Side Story: Symphonic Dances.” Guest clarinetist Giampiero Sobrino will perform Artie Shaw’s Concerto for Clarinet and guest pianist Brian Ganz will perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” both with the Chesapeake Orchestra.
The goal of the River Concert Series is to assist in economically enhancing the region and cultivating a cultural tourist destination by organizing arts and historical offerings. In 1999, the Chesapeake Orchestra came into a residency relationship with SMCM with the initiation of the River Concert Series. Since then, the Chesapeake Orchestra has sought to provide musical programming to reach the broadest possible audience.