California Symphony presents "French Impressions" at Hofmann Theatre at Lesher Center for the Arts

California Symphony will celebrate spring with the World Premiere of Katherine Balchs "Illuminate," the centerpiece of a program titled "French Impressions."Mezzo-soprano Kelly Guerra and sopranos Molly Netter and Alexandra Smither will perform this new work by Balch, who was California Symphonys Young American Composer-in-Residence from 2017-2020 and was scheduled to present this World Premiere in March 2020, postponed due to COVID. Incorporating text from "Les Illuminations" by French poet Rimbaud, blended with works by Balchs other favorite poets, "Illuminate" offers a celebration of friendship and joy from the female perspective over the course of five movements via a framework of the cycle of the seasons, beginning and ending with the spring.The program will also present British composer Thomas Ads homage to Couperin, the French baroque composer who served as Louis XIVs organist in Versailles, in "Three Studies After Couperin," an arrangement of three harpsichord pieces that recall the masters ability to sketch nimble personal portraits with his keyboard. "French Impressions" will also include works by the two leading French impressionist composers, Debussys "Danse" and Ravels "Ma mre lOye (Mother Goose)," displaying their lighter sides with these lively selections.SHOWS:7:30pm, March 26 Saturday4:00pm, March 27 Sunday