BWW Preview: ROCKTOPIA LIVE Merges Classical and Classic Rock for One of a Kind Experience at The Straz Center For The Performing Arts

Ever wondered what a fusion of classic rock and classical music would sound like?

On Saturday, April 22, these one-of-a-kind musical arrangements are coming to Carol Morsani Hall at The Straz Center of Performing Arts.

Created by Rob Evan and maestro Randall Craig Fleischer, it's called ROCKTOPIA LIVE and never has there been a more perfect opposites-attract event.

Chloe Lowery, a classically-trained recording artist, an accomplished member of multiplatinum-selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ROCKTOPIA LIVE performer and native Largo, Floridian said, "The show is very theatrical, but not Broadway. It's brand-new, something that's never been done. We take arias and classical music and fuse with your favorite classic rock songs in an epic way that you would never think works, but really does. Though different, they both speak a similar emotion, a similar language and when they intertwine, it makes a beautiful new creation."

Pairing music from bands like Queen, Journey, U2, Heart, Styx, Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Who with Mozart, Handel, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff, ROCKTOPIA LIVE features five world-class vocalists, five top notch rock musicians, an orchestra and choir.

Not only does ROCKTOPIA LIVE boast a local singer, but a local fashion designer as well. Originally from Tampa, New York designer Mimi Prober has merged vintage pieces from the 1800s with today's fashions for a look integral to the performance.

"It works perfectly for ROCKTOPIA LIVE. It was a very happy blend," said Chloe.

Soaring Sounds Choir and singers from Benito Middle School will also join the cast on stage to perform.

A common occurrence that has followed each show has been fans of one genre leave the show wanting to learn and experience more in the other genre of music.

She said, "We want you to walk away touched and moved, and maybe get an education, and introduction - someone who only knows classic rock will become interested in classical and vice versa- and become changed for the better."

ROCKTOPIA LIVE plays at The Straz Center of Performing Arts on April 22. For tickets and more information visit www.strazcenter.org/Events/Straz/Shows/1617_Music/ROCKTOPIA-LIVE-A-Classic-(R)evolution.

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