Symphony, choirs focus on Russian works
Join Robert Hanson, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Choral Union and the University of Illinois at Chicago University Choir for an evening of Russian masterworks.
Prokofiev's "Classical Symphony," excerpts from Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov," Tchaikovsky's well-known "Romeo and Juliet," and Borodin's "Polovtsian Dances" all make for an unforgettable experience.
The concert features a variety of classical works that have been embraced by popular culture.
Several films (such as "Moonraker" and "Wayne's World") have adapted the popular "Love Theme" from Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet," which is most often used as two lovebirds run to each other in slow motion. Borodin's "Polovtsian Dances" inspired the popular musical "Kismet," best-known for the song "Stranger in Paradise."
The ESO welcomes two celebrated choirs to the stage for this event. The Elgin Choral Union and the University of Illinois at Chicago University Choir will perform excerpts from Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" and "Polovtsian Dances."
Concert tickets start at $15 and range to $63 for best available seating.
Concert times are 1:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.
In addition, the Elgin Symphony League serves "Lunch with the Maestro" at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Heritage Ballroom, across from the Hemmens Theatre. Join Robert Hanson as he discusses the concert and answers questions during dessert. "Lunch with the Maestro" tickets may be reserved for $20 each.
For tickets or details, call the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday or visit www.ElginSymphony.org.
• Founded in 1947, the Elgin Choral Union is the oldest performing arts organization in the Fox Valley area. The 110 members of the ensemble range in age from 17 to 80-plus, and come from Elgin and over 30 surrounding communities.
The Elgin Choral Union was recently awarded its second City of Elgin Image Award for its outstanding contributions to the community and quality of life in the area. In addition to a series of subscription concerts, the Elgin Choral Union appears regularly in the Elgin area and beyond, promoting the cultural arts of the City of Elgin.
• The 50-70 member University of Illinois at Chicago University Choir is composed not only of music majors, but students who feel that singing is an integral part of their education. The choir presents major concerts each year and will perform Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor in May.