Itasca Symphony Orchestra Plays Bizet

Featuring violist Evgeny Zvonnikov

playing Carmen Fantasy

The Orchestra will perform three pieces written by and inspired by the French composer Georges Bizet, a Romantic era composer is best known for his masterpiece Carmen. ISO will perform  L’Arlesienne Suite number 1 & 2. Originally written as incidental music for a 1872 play, each of the suites include a selection of four pieces from the tragic love story written by Alphonse Daudet. They include a variety of styles and moods including lyrical melodies, spirited dances and traditional French folk tunes.

Carmen Fantasy borrows melodies from Bizet’s famous  opera Carmen. It was Initially performed and composed by the 19^th century Spanish world famous violinist Pablo De Sarasate to highlight his dazzling technique. Despite the extreme technical challenges meant to spotlight a violin virtuoso, the piece communicates the drama and moods of the original opera composition including love, rage, passion and excitement. We are excited to bring Evgenny Zvonnikov's to perform once again with our dedicated local musicians. Zvonnikov, a native of Russia is a member of the Itasca Orchestra and String Program’s partner organization The Third Coast Chamber Collective. He is an award winning performer and educator. Most recently he has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. https://www.thirdcoastchambercollective.com/evgeny

Masks are required in the Reif Center