Written by London Symphony Orchestra Media Release
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
ROSE BOWL WINNER JOINS ORCHESTRA FOR ORIENT EXPRESS POPS FINALE LONDON – Orchestra London wraps up the Pops season this Sunday, May 30 at Centennial Hall with Pops on the Orient Express. Principal Pops conductor Brian Jackson and the orchestra take the audience on a musical journey from London to Istanbul.
The 2009 Kiwanis Rose Bowl winner, mezzo-soprano Iasmina Pataca, also makes a special appearance on this final concert of the orchestra’s 2009-2010 season.
“Everyone loves a train journey and this one takes us from London to Istanbul, via Paris, Venice, and Vienna,” says Jackson. “Imagine all the musical treats that await us!”
Selections will include Sullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard Overture (England); Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld (France); Rodgers Sound of Music (Austria); and Rimsky-Korsakov’s colourful Scheherazade (Russia). The program also includes music from the popular 1974 British mystery film Murder on the Orient Express: “The music from Murder on the Orient Express is in three sections and became well known as a signature tune on CBC Radio 2 about 10 years ago,” says Jackson.
“A wonderful waltz depicts the train's motion.” Kitchener-based mezzo-soprano Iasmina Pataca won the Kiwanis Rose Bowl in 2009, performing Rossini’s “Non piu mesta” from La Cenerentola and Bolcom’s “Amor” from Cabaret Songs. “Winning the Rose Bowl was a big surprise,” says Pataca. “Being pregnant at the time I had huge doubts that I would be able to perform and have all the technical elements perfectly executed.
It was ‘all or nothing,’ but I took the risk and I won!” Pataca will perform the aria “Una voce poco fa” (A voice just now) from Rossini’s opera The Barber of Seville. “Una voce poco fa” is an aria from one of the most appreciated and performed operas in the world,” says Pataca.
“The vocal score is filled with melodic ornaments which most of the time stretch the tempo, making the connection between performers and Conductor essential. I am sure Maestro Jackson’s remarkable musicianship will have a great say in the way this piece will be presented and I am looking forward to an amazing experience.” Opera is in the air in London this spring, with Orchestra London’s production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare opening June 3 at the Grand Theatre. More information on the production can be found at operalondon.ca Tickets for Pops on the Orient Express are on sale at orchestralondon.ca, at the Box Office, or at the door.
ABOUT BRIAN JACKSON
Brian Jackson holds a Master of Arts in Music Theory, History and Composition from Oxford University. He began his conducting career after immigrating to Canada in 1968, becoming the country’s youngest Music Director when he led the Peterborough Symphony. Maestro Jackson has since been Music Director of the International Symphony, the Kingston Symphony and Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor to Orchestra London.
Jackson is currently the Principal Pops Conductor for Orchestra London, the Victoria Symphony and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. An expert in choral music, he has been Music Director of the Victoria and Kingston Choral Societies.
London Pro Musica won the CBC Choir of the Year Award under his leadership. Jackson also conducts opera, ballet, educational and youth concerts. He has taught at Lakefield College School and lectured at Trent, Western, Concordia, McGill and Queen’s Universities. He is the only Canadian conductor who plays and directs concertos from the keyboard.This season Maestro Jackson celebrates his 32nd year with Orchestra London.
ABOUT IASMINA PATACA
Born in the beautiful town of Timisoara, Romania, mezzo-soprano Iasmina Pataca has completed her Hons B Mus in Voice Performance at The West University of Timisoara after 16 years of studying piano and a Diploma in Piano Performance. In 2006, she has graduated the Opera Diploma program at Wilfrid Laurier University.On the opera stage, Iasmina sang the role of La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica by Puccini, the role of Mrs. Olsen in Kurt Weill’s Street scene and recently the role of Rosina in The Barber of Seville by Rossini in Toronto Summer Music Festival.
In November 2008, Iasmina has been selected as a winner in the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal Competition. Future projects include and Opera Gala with Mississauga Symphony and the title role in the opera Cenerentola by Rossini with Opera Nuova, Edmonton.Holding an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Iasmina is currently enrolled in the Masters program at University of Western Ontario.
Sullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard Overture, Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld and Barcarolle; Rodgers Sound of Music; Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade; Bennett’s Murder on the Orient Express; and “Una voce poco fa” (A voice just now) from Rossini’s opera The Barber of Seville.
When:Sunday, May 30 at 2:30 p.m.
Where:Centennial Hall Single
Ticket Prices:
Adults: $39-$55*
Students: $15*
*plus applicable taxes & service charges For Tickets or More Information:Orchestra London Box Office (519) 679-8778609 Wellington St. (at Central)www.orchestralondon.ca
