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Windsor Symphony Orchestra hosts World Premier
The University of Windsor-based choir will perform with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) at the Capitol Theatre, downtown this weekend.
The concert is titled ‘World connections through Music’ and features the work of two noted performers. The first is the work by Iranian-British composer Farhad Poupel, titled ‘The Legend of Bijan and Manijeh’, drawn from a 10th century Persian epic poem titled Shahnameh.
This weekend’s performance is its world premier. According to the WSO website, Farhad Poupel describes the structure as ‘the battle between dark and light’’ and will end with a ‘’climax of the whole work in a very delicate, tranquil, and bittersweet ending.’
The second performance will be Symphony No.9 by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
The University of Windsor’s ‘University Singer’s’ choir ensemble will take part in this symphony, will provide part of the Chorus. The ensemble is made up of students enrolled in a for credit course titled ‘University Singers.’ Bruce Kotowich is the acting director of the University’s School of Creative Arts.
Monica Bunde the Marketing Manager for the Windsor Symphony Orchestra says, “the (University) Singers have performed with WSO many times in the past. We collaborate on events.’
“The singers will sing in Farsi and there will be English translation projected on the screen behind them,” says Bunde.
On the Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s Instagram page, the Symphony’s conductor, Robert Franz describes Poupel’s work as ‘’ romantic, dramatic, beautiful in places’’, and ‘’will take you to places so far away but they will seem like they are right here.’’ He describes both works further in this video on YouTube.
The Director of Windsor Singers, Bruce Kotowich, says students are looking forward to the show.
‘’This will be a world premiere. The arts allow us to think critically and creatively, the arts call us to balance our need for knowledge with human expression. The experience of live music is exhilarating. Not only do you hear the sound, but your body sympathetically vibrates with the sound energy.’’
Kotowich says, “the story is told to the audience through choral music and programmatic instrumental music that represents the hero Bijan fighting darkness sent by Ariman.’’
He added that the performers are working hard to preparie with a heavy focus on teaching the chorists to sing in Farsi.
‘’The Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus and UWin Singers have been preparing the score since the beginning of October. UWin Singers rehearse 3 hours a week. The composer completed the commissioned work in 2021, and we can now premiere it as COVID restrictions have been lessened and we can perform live. One of our School of Creative Arts students, Jamie Hart-Brown will be making her solo debut with the WSO on Sunday afternoon as the Soprano Soloist.’’
The concert is 80 minutes long with no intermission. It’s Saturday November 19 at 7:30 pm, and on Sunday November 20 at 2:30 pm.
Tickets range from $17-44.
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