Mount Prospect Community Band to present 'The Ideas of March'
On Sunday, March 15, the Mount Prospect Community Band, under the direction of Monty Adams, will present a concert aptly called "The Ides Of March."
The program features Italian-themed music in the spirit of this day in 44 BC when Julius Caesar was assassinated and the history of the Western world was changed forever.
The featured vocalist is Simon Kyung Lee. Tenor Lee began his musical career in his hometown of Busan, South Korea, at an early age. It was upon a move to Italy that it was discovered he had a natural affinity for the Verismo style.
Under the guidance of Carlos Montané and Mtro Ubaldo Gardini, Lee was able to increase his vocal power to take command of works by Italian greats such as Verdi and Puccini.
After moving to the United States and working under the guidance of world-renowned opera singers Sherrill Milnes and Inci Bashar, Lee was able to advance his career to include his Carnegie Hall debut.
Lee has a flair for Italian music and is a two-time recipient of awards from the National Bel Canto Foundation. He has appeared as leading tenor with companies in the United States and Europe, as well as in Asia, including the Singapore Lyric Opera, Chicago Festival Opera, Kansas City Puccini Festival, Teatro Lirico D'Europa and World Classical Musical Society.
Lee is also a frequent recitalist and performed in a gala concert in which the musical artists of North and South Korea performed together on the same Chicago stage for the first time.
Lee will perform "E Lucevan le stele" by Puccini from the opera Tosca; "Nessun Dorma" by Puccini from the opera Turandot; and "O Sole Mio" by Eduardo Di Capua.
The concert includes "The Florentiner March" by Julius Fucik, the "Merry Wives of Windsor Overture" by Otto Nicolai and "Overture to Rienzi" by Richard Wagner. Other popular Italian favorites such as "Italian Festival" by Glen Osser and "Italian Rhapsody" by Julie Giroux are also on the program.
The concert will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Road, Mount Prospect. Tickets are available in advance for $8 from band members or at the Mount Prospect Park District RecPlex through March 14. Tickets at the door on March 15 cost $10.
For information, call the Mount Prospect Park District at (847) 640-1000.
Other information about the Mount Prospect Community Band, including how to join the band, can be found at www.mppd.org or by contacting Music Director Monty Adams at madams@mppd.org.
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