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Press Releases
Classical Movements Proudly Announces a Garden Concert Series: “Sounds of Hope & Harmony”
For release July 13, 2020
Alexandria, VA
Classical Movements Proudly Announces a Garden Concert Series:
“Sounds of Hope & Harmony”
Live Music in the Time of Social Distancing | Chamber, Choral, Opera, Jazz
18 Concerts | Saturdays at 6pm, 7:30pm
Following the success of its inaugural evening of three outdoor chamber music concerts on Saturday, June 20th and in response to popular demand, Classical Movements is delighted to announce a new series of intimate, socially-distanced concerts and recitals, plus 4 special events presented by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, at the Secret Garden of the Rectory on Princess Street, Classical Movements’ home in Old Town Alexandria – presented in solidarity with musicians who are eager to perform concerts for live audiences once again.
Beginning Saturday, July 25, 2020 and through October, Classical Movements will present a diverse range of ensembles and genres, including rising stars of opera and jazz, the first concert of live choral music, as well as dazzling programs by instrumental chamber ensembles of musicians who are members of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Choral Music Returns!
Lovers of choral music will rejoice at the opportunity to once again hear live choral music, performed by the Choir of Hope & Harmony, a chamber ensemble of 12 professional singers from the Washington National Cathedral, the Basilica of the National Shrine and other local choirs, under the direction of Anthony Blake Clark, in a unique set-up to accommodate increased distance between the performers and audience.
Including works and arrangements by Byrd, Britten, Panufnik, Coleridge-Taylor, Barnett and others, the program spans 400 years of music and reflects hope and beauty in the midst of the struggles of our time. With great uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of choral singing, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy live choral music.
World Class Artists, Local Favorites
Other “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” concerts feature a wide range of artists, including established local musicians and rising stars in the world of opera, jazz and musical theatre. After memorable contributions to the inaugural concerts on June 20, “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” will welcome more musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra for three evenings of ambitious and imaginative programs of chamber music for string, brass, percussion and wind ensembles on July 25, August 8 and September 19.
Opera lovers will relish two exceptional recitals of songs and arias. Chilean baritone Javier Arrey, who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper and on many of the world’s most famous stages – including as part of Classical Movements’ annual Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Festival at the historic Estates Theatre in Prague, where Mozart himself conducted. On August 1, Arrey will be joined by fellow PSN alumni and faculty, soprano Kaylee Norris and pianist Taylor Hutchinson, for an evening of operatic excerpts and songs – including Beethoven’s gorgeous “An die ferne Geliebte,” in honor of the composer’s 250th birthday year.
The August 15 concert features tenor Issachah Savage, an alumnus of Morgan State University and Catholic University, who has performed to acclaim at the Met and many of the greatest opera houses and concert halls in the world, joined by pianist Joy Schreier. His program will include operatic excerpts, spirituals, art songs and repertoire reflecting the ongoing quest for social justice.
September 26 features a cabaret performance by charismatic duo of Awa Sal Secka and Christian Douglas, who have delighted audiences in countless theatre productions and cabaret performances and present a selection of musical theatre, jazz and original songs.
Concerts for the Time of Social Distancing
Seating will be provided for concerts, with chairs wiped down and disinfected between performances. Chairs will have at least six feet between individual or family pairs. To maximize social distancing, seating will be assigned by the presenters; tickets and concert programs will be provided by email. Hand-sanitization stations will be available for audiences as they arrive and exit.
Concerts will be presented at 6pm and 7:30pm. Concerts take place rain or shine, but in case of severe weather, the rain date will be the following Sunday.
Sounds of Hope & Harmony
Saturday evenings | 6pm, 7:30pm
Rain date: Sunday evening | 6pm, 7:30pm
Saturday, July 25, 2020: “The Four B’s: Barrière, Bologne, Bartok and Beethoven” – Chamber Music
Members of the National Symphony Orchestra:
Eugena Chang, Cello | Britton Riley, Cello
Alexandra Osborne, Violin |Angelia Cho, Violin | Mahoko Eguchi, Viola |Rachel Young, Cello
Music by Beethoven, Bartok, Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Barrière, Joplin and others
Saturday, August 1, 2020: “Prague Comes to Washington” – An Evening of Art Song and Opera
Javier Arrey, baritone | Kaylee Norris, soprano | Taylor Hutchinson, piano
Alumni and faculty of the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Festival perform songs and arias by Mozart, Dvorak, Stravinsky, Brahms, Liszt, Wolf and Beethoven, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of his birth
Saturday, August 8, 2020: “Night-Shining White: Music for Percussion and Brass” – Chamber Music
Members of the National Symphony Orchestra:
Scott Christian, Percussion
William Gerlach, trumpet | Amy McCabe, Guest Trumpet | TBD, Horn | David Murray, Trombone | Stephen Dumaine, Tuba
Music by Joyce, Singleton, Akiho, Zhou, Ewald and Ellington
Saturday, August 15, 2020: An Evening of Grand Opera, Italian and American Art Songs
Issachah Savage, tenor | Joy Schreier, piano
Arias and songs by Verdi, Wagner, Strauss, Tosti, Donaudy and Margaret Bonds
Saturday, September 12, 2020: “A Brand New Day:” Choral Music Returns!
The Choir of Hope & Harmony
Anthony Blake Clark, conductor
400 years of choral music by Byrd, Britten, Panufnik, Coleridge-Taylor, Barnett and more on themes of hope in times of uncertainty
Saturday, September 19, 2020: “An Evening of Novel Ensembles” – Chamber Music
Members of the National Symphony Orchestra: Bass Quartet and Prokofiev Quintet in G minor for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola and double bass
Saturday, September 26, 2020: “Cabaret in the Twilight” – Jazz and Musical Theatre
Awa Sal Secka | Christian Douglas
The night lights up with jazz, musical theater and popular music, featuring the music of George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Billy Joel, Sara Bareilles and original music by Awa Sal Secka and Christian Douglas
Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2020: Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Special Event
Rain dates: Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11
More details to be announced. For program updates and ticket details, visit: https://www.classicalmovements.com/secretgardenconcerts/
About Classical Movements
The premier concert tour company for the world’s great orchestras and choirs, Classical Movements creates meaningful cultural experiences through music in 145 countries. An industry leader for over a quarter-century, Classical Movements organizes more than 60 tours every year, producing some 200 concerts every season. Producer of two international choral festivals—Ihlombe! in South Africa and Serenade! in Washington, D.C.—and the Prague Summer Nights: Young Artists Music Festival, in addition, Classical Movements’ Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program has commissioned 97 works from Grammy, Oscar and Pulitzer Prize-winning composers. Winner of Americans for the Arts’ BCA10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts Award, since its founding in 1992, as a truly global company, Classical Movements remains committed to facilitating cultural diplomacy across the world—promoting peace through the medium of music.
About the Rectory
Built in 1785 and the home of Classical Movements’ offices since 2014, the building formerly served as the rectory of the nearby historic Christ Church, once the church of George Washington. Since then, it has been owned by several distinguished Virginians and has been a commercial space since the 1960’s.
Located in the heart of beautiful Old Town Alexandria at 711 Princess Street, the Rectory is minutes away from the shops and restaurants of bustling King Street and is easily accessible by bus and metro.
Press Contacts
Alessandra D’Ovidio
Vice President, Operations
1 (703) 683-6040, ext. 203
Alessandra@ClassicalMovements.com
Adam Jackson
Artistic Planning and Executive Assistant to the President
1 (703) 683-6040, ext. 201
Adam@classicalmovements.com
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