After the lights dim on the Bob Carr stage this weekend, 113 students in the 麻豆原创 Choir will sing one of the most challenging and beloved symphonies ever composed.
For the past month, students have prepared for the Orlando Philharmonic鈥檚 opening night concert on Saturday, Sept. 25. The 麻豆原创 Choir will perform Gustav Mahler鈥檚 symphony No. 2, 鈥淩esurrection,鈥� alongside the Orlando Philharmonic Opera Chorus and accompanied by the largest orchestra ever assembled by the Orlando Philharmonic.
The concert, “,” begins at 8:30 p.m. at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, 401 W. Livingston St., in downtown Orlando.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a once in a lifetime chance,鈥� says Clair Warrick, a student in the 麻豆原创 Choir. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a big piece and is not performed very often because it鈥檚 so challenging.鈥�
“Resurrection” is written for an orchestra, a mixed choir, two soloists (soprano and contralto), an organ and an offstage ensemble of brass and percussion.
After weeks of intense rehearsals, Friday will be the first time that the 麻豆原创 students will sing the piece with the Opera Chorus. The collaboration 鈥渄emands careful preparation, musically sensitive singing and utmost professionalism,鈥� said David Brunner, 麻豆原创鈥檚 director of choral activities.
The 麻豆原创 Choir has a long history of collaborations with the Orlando Philharmonic performing a variety of pieces, including Beethoven鈥檚 Ninth Symphony and Aaron Copland鈥檚 鈥淥ld American Songs.鈥� But this will be its first time performing such a monumental symphony.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a gorgeous piece, deep and dark, very different from our past performances,鈥� Warrick said.
Traveling from London to New York, the 麻豆原创 Choir has performed with the world-renowned Russian State Symphony and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The group sang alongside Vanessa Williams at the Daytona 500 and graced Carnegie Hall with Brunner鈥檚 鈥淥de to the Present and Future Days.鈥�
But few performances will compare to this year鈥檚 opening night concert, where 150 voices will come together to breathe life into the magnanimous 鈥淩esurrection.鈥�
鈥淭he first words that come to mind when one thinks of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony are ‘massive’ and ‘overwhelming,’ and when you’re in the Bob Carr, you will see that the layout itself speaks of the power of the piece,” said Christopher Wilkins, music director for the Orlando Philharmonic.
Single tickets to 鈥淩esurrection Symphony鈥� are $14.75, $29, $39, $52 and $70. To purchase tickets, call the Philharmonic鈥檚 box office at 407-770-0071 or visit the Philharmonic鈥檚 website at .