CAPITAL CITY SYMPHONY 2013-2014 Season
American MusicFest
April 20, 2014, Washington, D.C. -- The Capital City Symphony, a founding Arts Partners at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in NE Washington, D.C., is presenting a two-part American MusicFest in March and May of 2014. Part I, which was held on March 23, focused on 21st composers, including local composer Scott Pender, Jennifer Higdon of Philadelphia, and DC-native Steven Gerber, now living in New York, with guest artist Robert Spates, Violin. Part II, on May 4 at 5:00pm will include two favorite works by Samuel Barber, with guest artist local soprano Mary Gresock.
Artistic Director and Conductor Victoria Gau explains: “I find myself increasingly drawn to the incredibly rich array of new classical music being written by American composers The idea of including music by my two friends, Scott Pender and Steven Gerber, got me started. It wasn’t hard to find the additions of Jennifer Higdon’s exquisite Blue Cathedral, and a perennial favorite, Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2.”
The May concert will feature two favorite works by Samuel Barber, Adagio for Strings and Knoxville, Summer of 1915 with Mary Gresock, soprano. The program will also include a non-American work, the popular Brahms Symphony No. 2.
Sunday, May 4 at 5:00pm
At the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC.
Directions and parking information can be found at Atlasarts.org.
Tickets for all seats are $25. Ticket for children 16 and under are FREE. Student Tickets are $15, available at the door only, with valid student ID.
Reception to follow at SMITH COMMONS
Happy hour deals on drinks & food, including selected beer, wine, and cocktails for $5 and reduced-price appetizers. The full regular menu will also be available (no discounts).
ABOUT THE SOLOIST
Mary Gresock, soprano, performs extensively in concert, opera, operetta, and musical theatre throughout the Washington/Baltimore area. A versatile singing actress, Ms. Gresock’s singing voice has been described in The Washington Post as “radiant… sparkling… and exquisite,” while her acting has been noted as “impressive… demonstrating a real gift for comedy and considerable charm.” Ms. Gresock has performed roles with Opera International, Washington National Opera, Baltimore Opera, Ashlawn-Highland Opera Festival, The IN Series of Washington, Opera Vivente, Maryland Lyric Opera, Annapolis Opera, Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia, Maryland Opera Society, Ohio Light Opera, The Washington Savoyards, Prince George’s Opera, Opera Americana, The Other Opera Company, Round House Theatre, Interact Theatre, and Signature Theatre.
On the concert stage, Ms.Gresock recently debuted with The Trinity Chamber Orchestra in a concert celebrating works by Gilbert and Sullivan, and she was featured with The Maryland Chamber Orchestra in Saint-Saen’s Christmas Oratorio and Scarlatti’s Christmas Cantata. Unique operatic performances include the honor of creating “Castrato” and “The Judge” in the world premiere of John Musto’s Grammy nominated opera, Volpone, with The Wolf Trap Opera Company, and “Anna Gomez” in The Consul with Washington National Opera under the stage direction of the composer, Gian Carlo Menotti. Future engagements include: the world premiere a new opera entitled Lost Childhood with the National Philharmonic, Laetitia in Menotti’s original opera radio version of The Old Maid and The Thief with Odyssey Opera Theatre, featured soloist with Trinity Chamber Orchestra, and the roles of Officer’s Wife/Martha in the east coast premiere of an opera version of The Secret Garden with The Opera Theatre of Weston in Vermont.
