Culture
Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Scheherazade’ Comes to Gallipolis Nov. 4
< < Back toThe rich and exotic colors of the far east will be painted in music when The Ohio Valley Symphony presents Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade on Saturday November 4, 2017. The 7:30 p.m. concert takes place at the historic Ariel Opera House in Gallipolis, Ohio under the direction of Maestro Ray Fowler.
Russian native Rimsky-Korsakov was a master of orchestration. The most prominent of the so-called “Mighty Five” composers of 19th century Russia, Rimsky-Korsakov proved to be the most accomplished and was best known for his programmatic works. Scheherazade was inspired by Eastern lore and graphically paints the tale of the evil Sultan’s wife who escapes death night after night with her story telling prowess. You can hear the stern voice of the Sultan and feel the waves rocking the boat in this Oriental narrative. There is no mistaking the love story in the third movement and Scheherazade’s voice, played by the violin, threads its way throughout the piece.
Shostakovich’s delightful Ballet Suite No. 1 is also on the program and is comprised of six selections from other pieces that the composer put together to make a whole. The music is charming and wistful at times and bold and energetic at others.
The string section gets a chance to shine in the scherzo from Dvorak’s Serenade written during a high point in the composer’s life. He was still young but already earning a good living from his compositions and this piece was evocative of an elegant lifestyle with musicians “serenading” in an aristocratic setting.
The OVS is devoted to bringing great music played by great artists to the Ohio Valley – and making orchestral music easy to love. The doors are open and the public is welcome to attend OVS rehearsals for free at 7-10 p.m. on Fridays and 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays on concert weekends. Open rehearsals are a wonderful way for young and old alike to listen to live symphonic music when schedules and timing do not allow them to attend concerts. They also offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what goes into preparing an orchestral performance.
Concertgoers — new or veteran — have another chance to learn more about the music with a free pre concert chat in the third-floor Ariel Chamber Theatre led by Stephen Huang, Director of Orchestras at Ohio University. The pre concert talks are interactive and informal and begin at 6:45 p.m. Afterwards, stop in at the reception sponsored by Antolino and Associates* to meet the musicians.
Tickets for The Ohio Valley Symphony’s concerts are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $12 for students and include the concert and pre and post concert events. Tickets are available on the website at arieloperahouse.org or ohiovalleysymphony.org or at the box office.
Funding for The Ohio Valley Symphony is provided in part by the Ann Carson Dater Endowment. The Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre is located at 426 Second Ave. in downtown Gallipolis, Ohio and is an ADA accessible facility.