GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., January 10, 2011 – The Grand Rapids Symphony will return to the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in downtown Grand Rapids for a special event performance on Saturday, Jan. 22.
The 8 p.m. Cathedral Concert will be led by Music Director David Lockington and features two guest artists: organist Todd Wilson and soprano Meredith Hall. The performance will feature music specifically conceived to be performed in a majestic cathedral setting, including:
• Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams
• Selected arias by Handel
• Organ concerto in F major by Handel
• Concerto for organ and orchestra by Poulenc
The concert is sponsored by John and Nancy Kennedy.
The performance marks the Grand Rapids Symphony’s return to the Cathedral of Saint Andrew after sell-out performances last March. More than 125 years old, the Cathedral of Saint Andrew is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. As the seat of the bishop, the Cathedral is located at the crossroads of the community. Over the years, it has hosted several amazing musical performances and is committed to the arts.
Todd Wilson is head of the Organ Department at The Cleveland Institute of Music, curator of the E.M. Skinner pipe organ at Severance Hall, and serves as artist-in-residence at Cleveland's Trinity Cathedral. Wilson has performed in major cities throughout the United States, Europe and Japan and won numerous organ competitions.
Canadian soprano Meredith Hall has also performed nationally and internationally, appearing with the Memphis Symphony, Cleveland Symphony, Toronto Operetta Theatre and the Newfoundland Symphony. Equally at home in opera and oratorio, she is especially in demand for Baroque and classical works, particularly those of Handel. This season, Hall will also perform at the Gottingen Handel Festival in Germany.
WHO: Grand Rapids Symphony, Music Director David Lockington, organist Todd Wilson and soprano Meredith Hall.
WHAT: Grand Rapids Symphony Cathedral Concert.
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m.
WHERE: Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 265 Sheldon SE, Grand Rapids
CONCERT SPONSOR: John and Nancy Kennedy
TICKETS: General admission tickets are $22 and are available by calling the Symphony box office at 616/454-9451, Ext. 4, or by visiting the office in person at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100. A handling fee will be charged for phone orders. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 800/982-2787, online at www.grsymphony.org., or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare Stores and Walmart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door the day of the concert.
The Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington, eight concert series are presented, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles. More than 400 performances are presented each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. To learn more about the Grand Rapids Symphony, please visit www.grsymphony.org.
These concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.