A stirring taste of Italy will be delivered in symphonic form at Valparaiso’s Memorial Opera House.
The South Shore Orchestra opens its 14th season with “Roman Invasion: Music of Ottorino Respighi” at 7:30 p.m. June 1.
The large-scale orchestral presentation will showcase the Italian composer’s “Fountains of Rome” and “Pines of Rome.”
Premiering in the early 20th century, “Fountains of Rome” and “Pines of Rome” are classical travelogues in Respighi’s Roman trilogy.
“They’re tone poems, and they depict different scenes in Rome,” said Troy Webdell, conductor and music director of the South Shore Orchestra. “‘Fountains of Rome’ depicts four different fountains, so there’s four movements. “‘Pines of Rome’ depicts four different places in Rome.”
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The work “captures the sounds and impressions of four of Rome’s majestic fountains at different hours of the day,” a South Shore Orchestra press release states.
The imagery evoked by “Pines of Rome” recalls, in part, the grandeur of the Roman Empire.
Webdell said the fourth movement is “The Pines of the Appian Way,” which he describes as “the huge finale” that is designed to create the feel of “the Roman Army marching in.”
Webdell said the South Shore Orchestra will be assisted by Valparaiso High School brass-section students.
Webdell said the orchestra will be comprised of some 80 members, with an additional complement of high school musicians contributing to the grand presentation.
“It’s going to be quite the sight and sound,” the Valparaiso resident related.
Additionally, Respighi’s arrangement of “Chaconne” for violin and orchestra will give the spotlight to violinist Violetta Todorova, who has international experience.
The native of St. Petersburg, Russia, serves as concertmaster for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
With origins dating back long before the start of the 20th century, “Chaconne” was reshaped by Respighi, who died in 1936.
“Respighi orchestrated it beautifully, and it kind of became a piece on its own,” Todorova, a Fort Wayne resident, said.
Respighi’s “Chaconne” acts as sort of an ambassador for the violin.
“It showcases many, many different techniques and ways that the instrument can be played, with different variations where the violinist uses different bow strokes, different rhythmic patterns, and basically showcases much of what a violin is capable of,” said Todorova, who has appeared as a soloist with various orchestras and ensembles in Finland, Sweden and America.
Todorova’s official biography states she started playing violin at the age of 5, and that she had performed in most of the major concert halls of St. Petersburg by the time she was 11.
Todorova performed in June 2017 at the South Shore Orchestra’s “Primal Roots” concert in Valparaiso.
The June 1 “Roman Invasion: Music of Ottorino Respighi” concert will have a cash bar available, according to the Memorial Opera House’s website.
There is a $2 processing fee added to the price of each ticket.
A group rate of $15 per person is available for groups of 10 or more, with no processing fee.
‘Roman Invasion: Music of Ottorino Respighi’
When: 7:30 p.m. June 1
Where: Memorial Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave., Valparaiso
Tickets: $21 adults; $18 for students, senior citizens, military
Information: 219-548-9137; www.memorialoperahouse.com More Top Picks Best Winter Boots With Cleats