Adelphi Orchestra to Feature Ballet Neo and Sara Pearson in Concert

Adelphi Orchestra to feature Ballet Neo and soprano Sara Pearson in "Mystical Songs and Dances of Scheherazade" March 26th

On Sunday March 26th, the Adelphi Orchestra embarks upon an ambitious concert, "Mystical Songs and Dances of Scheherazade" celebrating the enigmatic heroine and narrator of the collected stories which comprise Arabian Nights. In the Arabic texts a sultan, betrayed by his first wife, becomes convinced all women are inconstant. In revenge on the sex the Sultan takes a new bride each day, and to insure her faithfulness, puts her to death the next morning. When the Sultan chooses the Princess Scheherazade to be his wife Scheherazade, she devises a clever strategy to cheat her fate. She begins each evening by telling the Sultan a spellbinding tale, which suspensefully leads to the next tale, to be resumed the following evening. Captivated by her story telling the Sultan suspends her death order each morning eagerly awaiting the next tale. After 1001 nights, the sultan realizes his love for Scheherazade and permanently revokes her death order and makes her his queen.

Under the direction of principal conductor Richard Owen, the Adelphi Orchestra will present Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's celebrated "Scheherazade Opus 35" and Maurice Ravel's song cycle "Scheherazade", as well as Ravel's "Le tombeau de Couperin". The concert will feature Ballet Neo, in its second collaboration with the Adelphi Orchestra and soloist soprano Sara Pearson.

Audience fascination with classical music's invocation of the exotic 'Middle East' has existed for centuries. Widely referred to as "Orientalism" the trend found expressions in literature, art and dance as well as music. Among the earliest musical works written 'Alla turka' are the comic operas "The Abduction from the Seraglio" (1782) by Mozart and Rossini's "The Italian Girl in Algiers" (1813) - which continue to enjoy worldwide popularity today. Perhaps originally relished by an audience relieved by the retreat the Ottoman Empire from Europe and enthused with Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Embabeh (1798), the comedic treatment within the music reduces the once threatening enemy to pompous caricature.

Not so in "Mystical Songs and Dances of Scheherazade." In their concert the Adelphi Orchestra explores the darker, complex and sensuous dimension of "Orientalism" depicted through two masterworks by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Maurice Ravel and underscores the Adelphi Orchestra's unique appreciation for classical music composed for dance.

Kate Thomas, choreographer and founder of New York's noted chamber ballet company Ballet Neo creates a work of worthy of Rimsky-Korsakov's symphonic suite Scheherazade Opus 35 revealing a protagonist of courage and imagination. Critical to the Adelphi Orchestra's interpretation of the music is the conviction that Scheherazade symbolizes the consummate power of art as a tool to humanize and elevate mankind.

For Ravel's work, the Adelphi Orchestra will feature noted soprano Sara Pearson in performance of Ravel's song cycle Scheherazade, composed for solo voice (tenor or soprano) and orchestra, set to the words of Tristan Klingsor's three poems "Asie", "La flûte enchantée", and "L'indifférent". On the concert stage, Ms. Pearson has appeared with orchestra singing Mozart's Exultate Jubilate with the Bergen Sinfonia, Romantic Divas and Dons with the Annapolis Symphony, Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with The Baltimore Sinfonietta, Mendelssohn's Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt Walden with thePrince George's Choral Society, and H.M.S. Pinafore in concert with the Annapolis Choral Society. She is highly sought after as an entertainer and recitalist and has dazzled audiences in numerous exclusive events throughout the East Coast. Memorably, she was honored to perform at a private mass and reception for Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The Adelphi Orchestra is a professional, non-profit orchestra presenting classical concerts celebrating symphonic, chamber, operatic and dance composers throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. For over a decade the Adelphi Orchestra has proudly sponsored an annual Young Artist Program and Young Artist Concert Series. The Adelphi Orchestra's concerts feature accomplished national and international guest soloists and distinguished conductors.

Nominated by its peers for the 2016 Jersey Arts People's Choice Award in the Favorite Orchestra/Symphony Division, the Adelphi Orchestra is a member of the League of Orchestras. It is northern New Jersey's longest continuously performing orchestra and a member of the New Jersey cultural community for 63 years. The mission of the Adelphi Orchestra is to serve the musical and educational needs of the citizens of New Jersey, with special emphasis given to families with young children, seniors and those with limited financial means. To further this end, numerous concerts are offered free of admission charges. The Adelphi Orchestra strives to advance the orchestral arts through education, commissions, community partnerships and its robust young artist programing. Within the orchestra, the company fosters a challenging and enjoyable environment where artistic excellence can flourish. Richard Owen serves as the Principal Conductor and Jason Tramm is the Artistic Advisor of the orchestra.

Funding for the Adelphi Orchestra has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. To learn more about the orchestra and its programs visit www.adelphiorchestra.org

"Mystical Songs and Dances of Scheherazade " underscores the Adelphi Orchestra's longstanding commitment to music composed for classical dance (Adelphi Orchestra's next scheduled concert June 2nd will be "At the Ballet" with Roxey Ballet, Studio 691 and each season the orchestra traditionally performs in JulieDance's production of Nutcracker).

The Adelphi Orchestra presents Mystical Songs and Dances of Scheherazade

With original choreography by Kate Thomas for Ballet Neo and Soprano Sara Pearson

Sunday March 26, 2017 at 3:00 PM

River Dell Middle School

River Dell Middle School - 230 Woodland Avenue - River Edge, NJ 07661

Admission is free; Registration is a must

Donations appreciated

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