Compositions by Georges Bizet, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Léo Delibes, Giacomo Puccini, Gioachino Rossini and Giuseppe Verdi are part of Fan-Club of the Opera, Southwest Symphony Orchestra’s next concert in Palos Heights.
“I hand-picked all of these because I love them all so much. The common thread is love and often the travails that come with love so that’ll be a permeating strand throughout the afternoon,” said David Crane, Southwest Symphony Orchestra’s music director.
“These are the pop songs of the era. Of course you listen to pop songs now and the words are a little different. It’s a little more forward now.”
The April 2 concert at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel Auditorium includes Bizet’s “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera)” from “Carmen,” Puccini’s “Nessun dorma” from “Turandot,” Delibes’ “Flower Duet” from “Lakmé” and Verdi’s “Anvil Chorus” from “Il trovatore.”
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“Every piece that we’re doing will be familiar to many people whether they’ve seen or heard the opera,” said Crane, a former Skokie resident who now lives in Michigan.
“I think people who have a liking of opera or perhaps aren’t sure how much they like it will come and leave this concert saying, ‘Oh, this music is so beautiful.’ Many will recognize most of the pieces in it from some context, either commercials or through recitals.
“It’s interesting how many of these pieces have entered popular culture.”
Fan-Club of the Opera features soloists Desirée Hassler of Oak Park as soprano; Ola Rafalo, who teaches at Music Conservatory of Illinois in Evanston, as alto; Peder Reiff of Westchester as tenor; and Evan Bravos, a St. Charles native who now lives in Chicago, as bass.
“They are consummate professionals,” said Crane, who teaches a string program at Bannockburn School.
“I usually vet soloists in three ways: their skill level, their experience and also ‘Are they easy to work with?’ They’re all really nice people too.”
Hassler, who sings in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s full-time chorus, has been featured before but Rafalo, who has sung the role of Carmen with several groups; Reiff, who has performed throughout the country; and Bravos, who was called a “young talent to watch” by the baiduhai, are making their debuts.
Fan-Club of the Opera also marks the latest collaborations between Southwest Symphony Orchestra and both Trinity Christian College Concert Choir, directed by Toni Esker, and Saint Xavier University Chorale, directed by Thomas McNichols.
“We try to mix it up a little bit with various groups from this area. I haven’t worked with either of these two choruses in a few years so it’s a great opportunity,” Crane said.
The approximately 60 Southwest Symphony Orchestra members include Evergreen Park, Naperville, Oak Lawn and Orland Park residents.
“What’s unique about the orchestra is it is truly a family,” Crane said.
Southwest Symphony Orchestra concludes its 2022-23 season with Get Happy — A Judy Garland Celebration featuring soprano Joan Ellison at 4 p.m. May 21 at Ozinga Chapel Auditorium.
The concert includes “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Trolley Song” from “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Fan-Club of the Opera
When: 4 p.m. April 2
Where: Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights
Tickets: $25-$30 adults; $20-$25 ages 65 and older; $7 students; free ages 10 and younger
Information: 708-802-0686; southwestsymphony.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.