By Sheryl DeVore
Lake Forest’s answer to Ravinia happens June 25 at the Gorton Community Center outdoors where the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra performs its annual “Gortinia” concert. New to this summer’s outdoor performance are dancers from Jenny’s Dance Centre in Libertyville.
“Each piece is based on dance music and is inspired by dances from around the world,” said Christopher Ramaekers, the orchestra’s music director. Ramaekers will conduct “Polovtsian Dances” written by Russian composer and scientist Alexander Borodin for a scene in his opera, “Prince Igor.” One melody the audience might recognize from this piece sounds like the song, “Stranger in Paradise,” from the musical “Kismet.” The melody and others in the musical were taken from Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances.”
The orchestra will explore another part of the world’s by performing music to the ballet, “The Three Cornered Hat” written by Spanish composer Manuel de Falla. The ballet premiered in 1919 and features Andalusian folk music. It was written as a departure from classical ballet by using choreographed Spanish dance techniques.
Ramaekers also will direct Italian composer Ottoroni Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances” written in 1917. Respighi based this orchestral piece on transcribed lute dance music from the Renaissance era, about the late 1500s, into a work for orchestra.
Also on the program will be German composer Johaness Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, based on Hungarian folk music, written in 1879. and “Slavonic Dances” written by Bohemian composer Antonin Dvorak in 1878.
Dancers will come on stage to perform as the orchestra plays American composer Aaron Copland’s “Hoe-Down,” written in 1942 for the ballet “Rodeo.”
Jenny Campbell, director of Jenny’s Dance Center, said her students have been working on a ballet dance to the Copland piece for competition when she was asked to collaborate with the orchestra.
“We thought, ‘How cool is that to have your dancers perform to live music? We don’t get to do that very often,’ It’s a fabulous opportunity. Our kids have not performed outside.”
Twelve dancers, ages 14-18, will perform wearing western-style clothes. “The boys will be wearing their western shirts, brown denim and cowboy hats,” Campbell said.
“The girls will be wearing organdy dresses with full skirts, swishing them around,” she added. “It’s really entertaining.”
Ramaekers said the orchestra began performing outdoors at Gorton three summers ago during the pandemic and is continuing this relatively new tradition. “This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra outside of the concert hall,” said Ramaekers. “We perform lighter symphonic fare and patrons can relax outside and enjoy the music.”
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The audience can bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic fare for the concert. Beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages will be sold. Parking is available in Gorton Center’s upper lot or across the street at the train station.
“This outdoor Ravinia-style concert is complete with trains running past,” said Laura Whisler, an orchestra member who works on public relations and marketing. As at Ravinia in Highland Park, those attending the concert at Gorton in Lake Forest can take the train directly to the site. In case of rain, the concert will be held indoors.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Gortinia
When: 6:30 p.m., June 25
Where: Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest
Tickets: $10-$15
Information: 847-234-6060. gortoncenter.org/event/gortinia-2023