Update: Due to inclement weather, the Williamsburg Symphonia concert scheduled for Monday has been moved to Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Kimball Theatre. Guests should bring their tickets from Monday’s concert for admission.
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The Williamsburg Symphonia is giving the community the chance to experience opera up close and personal.
Their upcoming program includes two concerts, as well as a master class open to the public.
The Symphonia is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary season, and is embracing a long history of sharing music through education. The group was founded to bring classical repertoire to children, with a debut performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.”
The concerts on Monday and Tuesday nights will feature an array of opera arias and overtures. Carolyn S. Keurajian, executive director, said not to worry for those who are not opera buffs — these are well-known tunes that will be accessible to all.
In addition to the talented stock of the Symphonia, the pieces will be performed by a trio of vocalists, one of whom is Grammy-winning artist Audrey Luna. A soprano, Luna took home the award for Best Opera Recording for “The Tempest” with the Metropolitan Opera, where she played the role of Ariel.
Luna will be joined by mezzo-soprano Lauren McNeese and bass Branch Fields. While Keurajian said all the singers are “top-notch,” she is especially proud to feature a local artist.
Fields grew up in Williamsburg from age 11, singing in church and through York County schools. His opera career then led him all over the county, including the New York City Opera and Lincoln Center.
“I certainly gained a lot growing up in this community in music,” Fields said. “And obviously it had a big impact on my life and future.”
Now he has relocated back to Williamsburg, where he is excited to perform for a hometown audience he hopes will take advantage of this musical opportunity.
Fields had high praise for Luna and McNeese, and said that with their three voice parts they can create some of the best moments in opera. He is most excited for a trio from “Cosi fan tutte,” which he called “one of the most sublime compositions that Mozart ever wrote.”
Click here to see the full program and read detailed notes about each piece.
In addition to the performance, members of the community are invited to a free master class 2 p.m. Sunday at the Williamsburg Baptist Church on Richmond Road. Students will be instructed by McNeese, and those interested in participating should call the Symphonia office at 229-9857.
Next week’s programs precede the Symphonia’s 30th Anniversary Gala, presented by the Williamsburg Symphonia League, the group’s fundraising arm. The March 30 event will also celebrate music director Janna Hymes’ 10th year on the podium. The evening will include dinner, entertainment, and live and silent auctions, which will support the operation of the local orchestra.
For more information about upcoming events or the gala, visit the Symphonia’s website. Call 229-9857 to purchase tickets.