CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY GENERAL INFORMATION

TICKET OFFICE/CONTACT INFORMATION PAGERS/WATCHES/CELLULAR PHONES Address: 555 N. Carancahua, Tower II, Patrons are asked to ensure that all electronic Suite 410, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 devices are turned off prior to a performance. Hourly signals on electronic watches should be Office hours: 9am to 5pm – Monday through disabled prior to the performance as well. Friday. On concert Saturdays, the Ticket Office is open from Noon to 4 pm. SMOKING Smoking is not permitted inside any CCSO The Box Office at the Performing Arts Center concert venue. opens 90 minutes prior to concert start time. CAMERAS/RECORDING Telephone: 361.883.NOTE (6683) Cameras and recording equipment Email: [email protected] are prohibited. Website: ccsymphony.org PROGRAM BOOK ADVERTISING LATECOMERS Program book advertising is sold by the season. Latecomers will be seated by an usher during Limited space is also available per concert. an appropriate pause in the music at the For rates and information, call the Symphony discretion of the CCSO management. Office at361.882.2717 .

STUDENT DISCOUNTS DONATE YOUR TICKETS Discount tickets for subscription concerts are Can’t make it to the next concert? Donate available to anyone with student identification. your tickets to the CCSO for a tax deduction. Seating is limited and sold on a first come, first Your thoughtfulness will also give other patrons served basis. the opportunity to attend a performance that might otherwise be sold out. Call 361.883. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS NOTE by 5 p.m. on the day of the concert, or In the event of fire, please use the exit nearest sooner if possible. your seat indicated by a lighted exit sign. In the event of inclement weather, please remain in the CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS Performing Arts Center for further information Please support our generous sponsors and and instructions. advertiserswith your patronage. If you are interested in finding out about corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact the CCSO office at 882.2717. Corporate sponsors are recognized in the center section of the program book.

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 3

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Symphony Family and Friends, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra’s 74th season, our most entertaining and engaging one yet! The 2019–2020 season features world- renowned artists and gifted young musicians, the super stars of the future. You’ll experience a wide variety of music, as well as bonus educational and musical events for you and your family to enjoy. In addition to our venerable subscription concert series, we will present a children’s holiday matinee, planned especially for families, and we will greatly broaden the scope of our community outreach. Our ever-popular Pops in the Park has a few innovative surprises for you, too! If you are not already a member of our CCSO family, please consider this your personal invitation to join us. We are a diverse group of music lovers determined to ensure that the CCSO continues to bring performances and educational programs of the highest caliber to the Coastal Bend. Our Symphony Society offers you an effortless (and much appreciated) way to become a part of our family. As a Society member, you will join your friends and our patrons to enjoy such exclusive benefits as invitations to private events, premium ticketing renewal, reserved parking, and complimentary drink vouchers—all while supporting the CCSO. We are extremely grateful to our CCSO family, especially our musicians, our generous donors, our grantors, our subscribers, our personal and corporate sponsors, and our Society family. We couldn’t accomplish our musical mission without you. Again, thank you. Now—sit back, relax, and “See it Live!”

Barbara Ostarch President

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 5 6 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Welcome to 74th season of the Corpus Christi Symphony. This is my third season with the CCSO and I am very excited about this season’s programming. Our guest artists come from Texas and from major concert halls around the world. Among our goals for the 19–20 season is to expand our presence in the community, particularly in the area of music education. Our chamber ensembles will be visiting area schools, hospitals and retirement communities throughout the season. Thank you for 74 seasons of support. We look forward to many more Saturday nights on the Bay sharing music and friendship. Always the best,

Dr. Mark L. Francis Executive Director

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 7 8 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MESSAGE FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR Dear friends: There is nothing more exciting than a LIVE musical performance. If you add to it artists such as the Texas Tenors, the Texas Guitar Quartet, opera star Arturo Chacon, two sensational pianists, a spectacular Holiday concert and your very own Corpus Christi symphony…well…you have it all! Whether you are a new subscriber or a longtime patron, these are concerts that will thrill you and make you love music even more. Thank you for your continued support. Your presence will make this season an amazing musical experience and yes…let’s SEE IT LIVE!!!!! Musically yours,

Hector Guzman, music director Corpus Christ symphony orchestra

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 9 BIOGRAPHY HECTOR GUZMAN, MUSIC DIRECTOR

A recipient of the 2012 “For the Love of Art” Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2012 “Man of the Year” award by New York based Madison’s Who is Who, and the 2014 Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity’s National Arts Associate award, Maestro Hector Guzman is Music Director of the Plano Symphony Orchestra, the Irving Symphony and the San Angelo Symphony in the United States. In 2004, he was declared winner of the “Seven Conductors-One Baton” International Conducting competition and appointed Music Director of the Jalisco Philharmonic in Mexico. Since 2010 and for the first time in its history, the Jalisco Philharmonic named him “Conductor Emeritus”.

As a guest conductor, Maestro Guzman has appeared with all of Mexico’s most prestigious orchestras: National Symphony, State of Mexico symphony, UNAM Philharmonic, Xalapa symphony, Bellas Artes chamber orchestra, Mexico City Philharmonic, Vivaldi orchestra of Mexico City and many others, as well as the San Antonio, Dallas, Wheeling and Phoenix symphonies and the Chicago Sinfonietta in the United States, the National Symphony of the Dominican Republic, the Collegium Orchestra of Prague in the Czech Republic, the Rszezow Philharmonic in Poland, the Japan Philharmonic, the Masan Philharmonic and the Gangsam Symphony in South Korea, Italy’s Amadeus orchestra, Sinfonia Venetto, Milano Classica orchestra, Bari Symphony, San Remo Symphony, Pomeriggi Musicali orchestra of Milan and the Sinfonica de Murcia, Joven Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid and the Excelentia Orchestra in Spain. He made his operatic debut in 2005 with Rossini’s Barber of Seville and his performance of the opera Frida in 2007, was considered the “best opera of the year” by the Mexican press. He has also appeared as soloist and recitalist in venues such as the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, the Spivey Hall Distinguished Artist Series in Atlanta, Olivet Nazarene University recital series, the cathedrals of Morelia, Guadalajara, Chartres, and the 2015 International Music Festival in Toledo, Spain.

10 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA In his native Mexico, Hector Guzman achieved an impressive reputation as an organist studying with Victor Urban, by taking first prize in the “Chamber Soloists” competition and the “Manuel Ponce” national organ competition. In the United States, while a student of world famous master teachers Alfred Mouledous and Robert Anderson, he earned further distinction by winning solo competitions at Southern Methodist University and the University of North Texas. In 1978, he gained world acclaim when he became the first Latin-American ever chosen as a finalist in France’s “Grand Prix de Chartres”—the world’s most prestigious international organ competition.

Mr. Guzman holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University and has studied with many illustrious conductors including his mentor Anshel Brusilow, and well as Helmuth Rilling and Carlo Maria Giulini at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy. For several years, he was a protégé of the late Maestro Eduardo Mata, Conductor Emeritus of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

In demand internationally as a conductor and recitalist, Maestro Guzman was accorded the “Outstanding National Young Artist” award from the government of Mexico, the “Golden Lyre” award, given by the Mexican Union of Musicians, the “Meadows” award from SMU, the DeVry Institute’s “Director Par Excellence” award and in 2000, he was included in the Outstanding Musicians of the XX Century magazine, published by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.

In 2004 he received the “Silver Good Citizenship Medal” from the Sons of the American Revolution for his outstanding contributions to the arts. The 2005 “Artistic Merit Medal” was awarded to Maestro Guzman by the Government of the State of Mexico for his contributions to music world-wide and was also the recipient of the 2006 “Artistic Silver Medal” awarded by the government of his native state, Zacatecas, Mexico. In 2008, he was the recipient of the Mozart Medal, the highest musical honor in Mexico, awarded by the Embassy of Austria and the Mozart Academy in Mexico City.

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 11 12 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 13 14 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 15 16 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 17 CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ANNUAL GIVING The Corpus Christi Symphony Society Gratefully Acknowledges the Generous and Accumulative Support of its Official Sponsors, Partners, Society Members, and Pops in the Park Sponsors (as of August 28, 2019). $25,000+ $5,000-$9,999 Mr. Robert & FOUNDATION AND CORPORATE Dr. Mary Jane Hamilton GOVERNMENT Exxon Mobil Corporation Mr. & Mrs. Melvyn Klein* Coastal Bend Community First Community Bank* Ms. Carroll P. Matthews Foundation Flint Hills Resources Dr. & Mrs. Fred McCurdy HEB Tournament of Kleberg Bank Mrs. James M. Motes, Jr. Champions Merrill Lynch* Barbara and Gerald Ostarch* Judge and Mrs. Robert C. Pate CORPORATE Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi Rabbi Kenneth & AEP Texas* Phyllis Roseman INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUALS Richard and Manette Scanio Louise G. Chapman Dr. Charles & Mary M. Judge and Campbell* Mrs. Richard Schmidt* $10,000-$24,999 Mr. & Mrs. Philip Denniston* Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Spear Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Dobson* Steven J. Tillinger FOUNDATION AND Mrs. Celika Storm Joyce Zarsky GOVERNMENT LaVerne and Thomas Howell $3,000-$4,999 $500-$1,499 Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Hugh Kennedy INDIVIDUALS INDIVIDUALS Foundation Charlene and John Chesshir Ms. Dorothy N. Adair* Texas Commission on the Arts Patrick and Kathleen Horne Dr. Javier Alonso & Ms. Michelle Bauer* CORPORATE $1,500-$2,999 Phyllis C. Allen American Bank FOUNDATION AND Ms. Carolyn Baker* Citgo GOVERNMENT Randy and Dawn Bissell Navy Army Community Warren Foundation Edwin and Peggy Bomer Credit Union Mike and Cindy Boudloche CORPORATE INDIVIDUALS CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital* Charles and Gayle Doraine* Tom and Diane Gates Symphony Guild of lucinda j. garcia Mr. & Mrs. Phillip M. Plant* Corpus Christi* James Gold and Gene and Ellen Seaman Barbara Shurte Roger and Sandra TenNapel* INDIVIDUALS Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hughes Karen & Larry Urban John and Myriam Bell Drs. Lynn and Burton Kittay* Ann and David Engel* Roger and Jan Lawrence Dr. Robert and Mary Ann and John McGregor* Mrs. Gloria Furgason Patty & Henry Nuss Dr. and Mrs. John Gay Robert & Kim Ortiz Maestro Hector Guzman & Mr. Neill Taylor* Daisy Piantini*

18 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ANNUAL GIVING $250-$499 $100-$249 HOTEL SPONSOR Holiday Inn Downtown Marina FOUNDATION AND INDIVIDUALS GOVERNMENT Nelwyn B. Anderson* HOUSING HOST TAMUCC Warren Foundation Jane R. Bachman Rabbi Kenneth and Phyllis Roseman INDIVIDUALS Mrs. Kapka Charlebois* Jane and Phillip Bell Dr. Susan Comer* EQUIPMENT MOVING Becky and Marty Davis Dr. & Mrs. Robert Cone* SPONSOR Susan Dougherty Peggy and José M. Crocker Moving and Storage Duran, M.D Sam and Rhonda Ganz CORPORATE SPONSOR Mitty Hayek Dottie Ewing Mrs. Marlis Frank ERF Tower II, Inc. Ms. Kathy Haynes Ed Rachal Foundation Delbert and Hedy Hooper Mr. & Mrs. G. Rudy Garza* Ms. Bonnie Heinz* Dr. Robert & Tammy Gates* TELEVISION SPONSOR Dr. William Huie & Mr. Lowell Gaut* KRIS Communications Dr. Mary Gleason Ms. Melissa Haddad MEDIA SPONSORS Mary D. Goldston Susan Hutchinson* iHeart Media Ms. Nancy Goodman Dr. and Mrs. Richard Ingraham KEDT South Texas Public Mr. Gregory Gowan* Brad and Jane Kisner Broadcasting Mr. & Mrs. Van Greene Bill and Marybeth Maxwell KLUX “Good Company” Richard and Sandra Ms. Bernadette Hardcastle* SEASON PARTNERS Messbarger Sharron Hines AEP Texas Ms. Donna Shurley & Gary Jeffress and The Blossom Shop Mr. George Munroe Rhonda Bergey The Piano Gallery Mr. & Mrs. Harry Don and Lu Ann Kingsbury Molly Pierce Design Morgan Spear III* Dr. and Mrs. Eddie Seal Photography Alan J. Stoner* Herbert E. Madalin Mr. and Mrs. Kent and Mike and Janet Miller PERFORMANCE PARTNER Veerle Ullberg Jim and Beverly Naismith* Texas A&M University- Debi and Gordon Welch Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Blake O’Lavin Corpus Christi Jim and Sylvia Whitworth Dolores Perrine Dr. Bruce Wilson & Mr. Earl Pixley* *New or Increase Gift Michael O’Hare Julie Rogers Mr. & Mrs. John Scarpa* Mr. and Mrs. Names listed have made Michael B. Schmidt gifts between April 1, 2019 Roberta Sewell* and August 30, 2019 Every Dr. & Mrs. Randall Simonsen effort was made to include all Drs. Diana and Dan Sipes donors. We regret any Joan Spradley error or omission that may Mrs. Deenie Roper Tillman have occurred in this listing. Dr. and Mrs. Neal VanZante Kathleen White*

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 19 20 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 21 22 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

SAT., SEPTEMBER 21 THE TEXAS TENORS 7:30PM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Billboard #1 Recording Artists and 3-time Emmy Award Winners The Texas Tenors Marcus Collins JC Fisher John Hagen

featuring “The 3 Bottle Band” Ryan Hurn, drums Josh Hanlon, piano Mitch Keirsey, electric guitar, mandolin Larry Hanson, bass

The Texas Tenors will have their merchandise available at this concert including their new Billboard #1 CD, “A Collection of Broadway & American Classics”

To find out more information about THE TEXAS TENORS and their current touring schedule please visit www.thetexastenors.com

Follow them on FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram.

24 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GUEST ARTISTS

been wildly successful from performing arts centers, casinos and symphony halls to outdoor festivals and corporate events. In addition to collaborations with some of the most prestigious symphonies in the world including the Houston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony and The City of Prague Orchestra, The Texas Tenors have performed at The White House National Tree Lighting, Congressional Medal of Honor Ceremonies, numerous charity events, NBA games and The PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. The Texas Tenors are celebrating 10 years together by launching their “10th Anniversary Tour” for the 2019-2020 season. Earlier this year, they were honored to be included The Texas Tenors among the top 50 acts in the world and the only vocal group from the United States The Texas Tenors are the most successful invited to compete on NBC’s primetime series music group and third highest selling artist America’s Got Talent: The Champions. in the history of America’s Got Talent! Since appearing on the show in 2009, JC, Marcus John Hagen and John have released 4 studio albums, 2 PBS Specials, 4 DVDs, multiple singles John has been described as, “astonishing, a and a children’s book that have earned superb tenor of deep musicality.” He made them impressive recognition including 3 his Lincoln Center debut in New York City in Emmy Awards, The Gelett Burgess Award Teatro Grattacielo’s mounting of Mascagni’s for Excellence in Children’s Literature and Gulglielmo Ratcliff. Mr. Hagen created 3 the distinction of being Billboard Magazine’s tenor roles in the world premier of The Lost 2017 #10 Classical Crossover Artist in the Dauphane for Pamiro Opera airing on PBS. World. Their most recent albums “Rise” and He has performed a vast array of operatic “A Collection of Broadway and American roles ranging from Alfredo in La Traviata, to Classics” both debuted at #1 on the Billboard the title role of Otello for Cleveland Opera Classical Chart. on tour. Mr. Hagen is highly regarded for his performances of the Verdi Requiem These classically-trained, versatile tenors and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, having have performed more than 1300 concerts performed these works with more than a around the world including headline shows dozen symphonies across the United States. in Las Vegas, China and a 24-city tour on He has received many awards throughout the United Kingdom. With three different his career including finalist in the New live concerts “Rise: Live on Tour”, rousingly Jersey Opera Association of Verismo Opera patriotic “Let Freedom Sing” and holiday competition held at Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan favorite “Deep in the Heart of Christmas”, Opera Auditions Regional Finalist, and their concerts appeal to all ages and have winner of numerous other competitions. GUEST ARTISTS

Marcus Collins JC Fisher Marcus was born in a small town and began JC has entertained audiences around the performing at the age of 4. He first learned world for the past 15 years. In high school, how to sing by emulating his favorite artists he had a passion for sports and also enjoyed like Garth Brooks, George Michael and singing in church. He discovered a deeper Freddie Mercury before training classically love for singing at Wichita State University in college. Marcus has performed throughout where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree the world on cruise ships and numerous in Music. JC performed various roles stage productions including a performance in including Rodolfo in La Bohème, Tamino in Times Square with the Broadway cast of The Magic Flute, Ernesto in Don Pasquale, Hairspray and Off-Broadway’s Altar Boyz Henrick in A Little Night Music and even as Matthew. Beyond music he has worked Miss America’s duet partner at the 1997 extensively as an actor with appearances in Miss Kansas Pageant. After college, JC more than 100 episodes of network television traveled to Lucca, Italy where he sang in and 25 films including P.S. I Love You, Semi- the Puccini festival under the direction of Pro, Delirious, 30 Rock, Sex and the City, acclaimed Italian maestro Lorenzo Malfatti. recurring roles on One Life To Live and He then created a home base in Katy, TX As The World Turns, and a Guest VJ on MTV. before sailing the high seas aboard more than 75 cruise ships worldwide as a guest entertainer. This allowed JC to create a show featuring many different genres of music and world class arrangements, which eventually led to his idea of forming The Texas Tenors. After many years of traveling and concerts, his most memorable performance is still one from college where he found his future wife and mother of their 3 beautiful children.

26 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Hector Guzman, Music Director The Texas Tenors, Guest Artists VIOLIN I CELLO HORN CORPUS CHRISTI *Elisabeth Adkins, *Susan Sturman *Marc Lumley SYMPHONY Concertmaster Tido Janssen Karl Kemm ADMINISTRATION Elizabeth Frederick Wanda Avila Cynthia Foster Drew Stephen Dr. Mark L. Francis, Sixto Elizondo Phyllis Kline Executive Director Ryan Coppin TRUMPET Patrick Hopkins *Mike Arnold Madeline Schmidt Kristin Mortenson Rex Spencer Jared Broussard Director of Gregory Mata Oswaldo Zapata Development & BASS Marketing Pedro Vera *George Amorim TROMBONE Oscar Dodier Jeff Swope *Paul Hageman Theresa Gayle Edward Avila Operations & VIOLIN II Robert Burwell Rod Leonard Personnel Manager *Bruce Kanagaki Andres Vela Nancy Reyes TUBA Victoria N. Alaniz, FLUTE *Dan Sipes Office & Box Office Terri Hammons *Rita Linard Manager Laura Caprez Adah Jones TIMPANI Seleste Cabrera+ *John Godoy Joyce Flores, Bethany Turriff Development & Juan Fiestas OBOE PERCUSSION Marketing *Serena Rowe *Randy Fluman Coordinator VIOLA Rachel Messing Victor Lara *Jennifer Cahill Clark Bill Ricketts Molly Pierce Design, Stephanie Phillips CLARINET Graphic Designer *Alan Olson PIANO Teresa Nguyen Julie Linder *David Sutanto Dr. Kellie Lignitz-Hahn, Darryl Tolliver Music Librarian BASSOON HARP Joel Pagan *Carroll McNabb *Naomi Hoffmeyer Dr. Dan T. Sipes, Sallie Juvenal Yingching Jeter Audio Engineer & University Consultant * denotes Principal + doubling Piccolo Freddy Galindo, Stage Manager

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 27 28 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 29

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 31 SAT., OCTOBER 12 A VIRTUOSO EVENING 7:30PM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Hector Guzman, conductor The Texas Guitar Quartet, Guest Artists

P. Tchaikovsky Cossack Dance from “Mazzeppa”

J. Rodrigo Concierto Andulaz Texas Guitar Quartet

INTERMISSION

B. Bartok Concerto for Orchestra

32 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GUEST ARTISTS

Texas Guitar Quartet Biography Cruz and John Truitt and creating daring arrangements of orchestral works by Mozart, Formed in 2008, the Texas Guitar Quartet has Beethoven and Ravel. been hailed as “Impeccable in every respect” by Classical Guitar Magazine. Throughout Red, the quartet’s first album, was released the United States, Central America, Spain, to critical acclaim and was praised by and China, audiences have embraced the Guitar International as a “tremendous quartet for their daring programs, dazzling accomplishment for the classical guitar…the virtuosity and joyful music making. Recent TxGQ perform with virtuosity, clarity, balance, highlights include performances for the and a refined character which will no doubt Encuentro Internacional de Guitarra 2016 help to establish them as one of today’s (Nicaragua), Victoria Bach Festival, Guitar leading guitar quartets.” Their latest album, Foundation of America Convention, Festival Icon, features the complete 40th Symphony Internacional del Noreste (Mexico), and Texas by Mozart was released in late 2018. Music Festival. During the summer of 2015, the quartet presented a series of concerts The TxGQ has been featured in concertos in historic cathedrals along the Camino de with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra Santiago, Spain. (Maestro Marcelo Bussiki), Camerata Bach and Nicaraguan Youth Symphony (Maestro The TxGQ recently premiered a landmark César Bermúdez Rodriguez), Sam Houston new work by lauded American composer State University Symphony Orchestra Nico Muhly in collaboration with Grammy- (Maestro Zachary Carretin) and the Abilene winning chamber choir Conspirare, Grammy- Philharmonic (Maestro David Itkin). They winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and the have been part of the Texas Commission on Dublin Guitar Quartet. The group continues the Arts Touring Artist Roster since 2010. to push the boundaries of the guitar quartet The TxGQ is Isaac Bustos, Jay Kacherski, medium by premiering new works by Joseph Alejandro Montiel, and Joseph Palmer. Williams II, Peter Lieuwen, Mark Anthony [email protected] • www.txgq.net PROGRAM NOTES

Cossack Dance from Mazeppa staple) during which various entertainers are Instrumentation: piccolo, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, presented to Mazeppa for his amusement. English horn, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, Among them is a Cossack dance troupe that 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, dazzles everyone in attendance with their timpani, percussion, harp, strings. frenetic athleticism. Tchaikovsky handles the moment with his usual deftness and Duration: 5 minutes. incredible orchestral color palatte. THE COMPOSER – PYOTR ILYCH THE WORLD – Construction on the TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) – Operas are Washington Monument was completed not always the first thing that comes to in 1884. Also that year, Germany took mind at the mention of Tchaikovsky’s name. possession of Togoland in West Africa, the Symphonies? Yes. Ballets? Absolutely. Siege of Khartoum began in Sudan and Concertos? Of course. But operas? We Edwin Abbot Abbot published Flatland. all know Eugene Onegin but not many of us can name more than one of the other Concierto andaluz nine he completed. It’s true that history Instrumentation: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, usually takes it upon itself to curate the 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, reputations of our heroes, but to forget 2 trumpets, strings. Tchaikovsky’s operatic output is something we do to our own detriment. Duration: 25 minutes in three movements. THE HISTORY – Mazeppa was composed THE COMPOSER – JOAQUÍN RODRIGO between 1881and 1883 and premiered (1901-1999) – It is impossible to imagine a at the Bolshoi in early 1884. The Moscow world in which Rodrigo did not meet guitarist performance was well-received (and well- Regino Sainz de la Maza in Paris just before reviewed) but the ensuing St. Petersburg World War II. The concerto that grew from iteration was not. It seems the quality of that encounter holds a very important place the cast was at issue more than the score in the sweep of 20th-century creativity and itself, but the composer was still glad his it made certain, more than anything else he brother hid the critics’ comments from wrote during his long life, that the name of him. “The truth might have killed me”, he the composer would never be forgotten. reportedly said when he learned of it much later. The libretto of Mazeppa was drawn THE HISTORY – Concierto de Aranjuez from a Pushkin play called Poltova (1829) (1939) would not be Rodrigo’s only guitar- and set in 17th-century Ukraine. The story centric utterance. He wrote two other solo follows the real-life Cossack Head of State guitar concertos (including the Fantasia para Ivan Stepanovych Mazeppa and his plot un gentilhombre of 1954), a concerto for two against Tsar Peter the Great. Opera lovers guitars and orchestra (Concierto madrigal in who don’t know this work well need not 1966) and a feature work for quartet and worry – this is no mere documentary. There orchestra in 1967. Concierto andaluz was is plenty of intrigue to be had, complete commissioned by Celedonio Romero and the with love interests and even an abduction! group he founded with his three sons under the family name. Americans who love guitar During Act I we find ourselves witness to a grand party (another important operatic quartets in general, and the fabulous Los Angeles Guitar Quartet specifically, have the 34 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROGRAM NOTES

Romeros to thank for creating a following at home), it would be here that he received for the genre a generation before. It all the 1943 commission that would forever started with them. The commission was the define his place as a 20th century titan. start of a long and fruitful association and, given how popular Rodrigo also was at the THE HISTORY – The new work premiered time, it really was a collaboration between in Boston the following season and would celebrities. “Los Romeros” recorded the become Bartók’s most popular and important work twice and Rodrigo wrote them with masterpiece. Sadly, he would succumb to a new cadenza as a Christmas gift a year his illness in 1945 and never experience after the premiere. Andalusia, home region the Concerto’s ascendance to the first of the original “Royal Family of the Guitar”, rank of 20th century compositions. Bartók is a large and varied section of southern didn’t necessarily break new ground with Spain with a historically autonomous identity. his version of the non-symphony since The concerto Rodrigo composed for his Hindemith and Kodaly had each already compatriots is, in the inimitable words of written a Concerto for Orchestra in the Nicolas Slonimsky, “a poetic evocation” of a previous two decades. It was Bartók, special place, “with its sounds, its lights, the however, who brought a level of perfection to fragrance of its flowers” on full display by the form and whose masterwork still serves way of brilliant orchestral colors that “sparkle as its finest example. The piece is structured in the Mediterranean sun.” as a large palindrome and Bartók himself often spoke to his Concerto’s “tendency to THE WORLD – 1967 was also the year treat the single instruments and instrument of the Montreal World’s Fair “Expo 67,” groups” in a “soloistic manner.” Indeed, a Military coup in Greece, the arrest of the writing is highly virtuosic and every Muhammad Ali as a conscientious objector section of orchestra is featured expertly. and the publication of One Hundred Years of More importantly though, the piece offers Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. us a glimpse of a composer’s voice in full maturity at a time when American orchestral Concerto for Orchestra talent was burgeoning under the leadership Instrumentation: piccolo, 3 flutes, 3 oboes, of many imposing European maestros. English horn, 3 clarinets, bass clarinet, With all of the Bartók hallmarks on display 3 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 – the depthless well of melodic ingenuity, trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, the rhythmic vitality, the formal creativity, the percussion, 2 harps, strings. scathing wit (note the Shostakovich parody that “interrupts” the Intermezzo movement) Duration: 36 minutes in five movements – this is the work of a genius who was in (with pauses). total, effortless possession of his skills. Not THE COMPOSER – BELA BARTOK (1881- one note is out of place. 1945) – With the situation in Europe THE WORLD – Mount Vesuvius erupted worsening by the day, Béla Bartók reluctantly in 1944. 1944 was also the year of the immigrated to the United States in 1940. He “Great Escape” from Stalag Luft III, the began to suffer the first symptoms of his long founding of the United Negro College Fund undiagnosed leukemia shortly after arriving in America and Iceland’s final declaration of and though never fully at home in America independence from Denmark. (he felt just as underappreciated as he had CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 35 ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Hector Guzman, Music Director Featuring The Texas Guitar Quartet

VIOLIN I Teresa Nguyen BASSOON CORPUS CHRISTI *Elisabeth Adkins, Shawn Somerville *Michael Frederick SYMPHONY Concertmaster Scott Pool ADMINISTRATION Pablo Donatti Veronica Salinas Lopez Gillian Lopez+++ Dr. Mark L. Francis, Darryl Tolliver Executive Director Steven McMillan, HORN Associate CELLO *Joel Bright Madeline Schmidt, Concertmaster *Susan Sturman Anthony Martin Director of Jose Flores Carrie Pierce Karl Kemm Development & Wanda Avila Marketing Sixto Elizondo Ying Zhang Helen Pat Karakas Sarah Milnarich TRUMPET Theresa Gayle, *Ron Ledbetter Operations & Personnel Medea Guldedava Tido Janssen Mary Thornton Manager Emily Frederick Phyllis Kline Kyle Milsap Mike Arnold Victoria N. Alaniz, Emily Madonia Nancy Bandy Office & Box Office Ryan Coppin Rex Spencer TROMBONE Manager *Paul Hageman Bethany Raynes BASS Joyce Flores, *George Amorim Edward Avila Kristin Mortenson Oscar Diaz Development Diego Garza & Marketing VIOLIN II Jeff Swope TUBA Coordinator *Nina Mavrinac *Dan Sipes Lynn Butler Bradford Robert Burwell Molly Pierce Design, Robert Ramon TIMPANI Graphic Designer Nancy Reyes *John Godoy Eva Weber Isai Martinez Hayden Forsythe, Music Librarian FLUTE PERCUSSION Bruce Kanagaki *Randy Fluman Oscar Dodier *Diana Sipes Dr. Dan T. Sipes, Jasmine Kienne Neil Sisayhoat James Young Audio Engineer & Laura Caprez Izumi Miyahara University Consultant Terri Hammons OBOE HARP *Naomi Hofmeyer Freddy Galindo, Danny Diaz Murzi * Stanley Chyi Stage Manager Claudia Ferguson Serena Rowe Hope Cowan Jennifer Bernard+ VIOLA * denotes Principal *Jennifer Cahill Clark CLARINET Stephanie Phillips *Ivan Petruzziello +Doubling French Horn Alan Olson ++Doubling Bass Jennifer Alger James Warth++ Clarinet Carrie Howell +++Doubling Contrabassoon

36 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 37 SAT., NOVEMBER 9 OPERA GALA 7:30PM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Arturo Chacón-Cruz, tenor Haley Sicking, soprano Hope Thacker, mezzo-soprano David Small, baritone Corpus Christi Symphony Chorale, Gregory Graf, Arlene Long, directors

W.A. Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro

G. Verdi Sempre Libera from: La Traviata Ms. Sicking

G. Bizet Habenera from: Carmen Ms. Thacker/Chorus

G. Verdi Va Pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from: Nabucco

P. Mascagni Intermezzo from: Cavalleria Rusticana

J. Offenbach Kleinzach Ballad from Tales of Hoffman

A. Ponchielli Cielo e Mar from La Gioconda

J. Massenet Pourquoi me revellier from Werther Mr. Chacon

INTERMISSION

38 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SAT., NOVEMBER 9 OPERA GALA 7:30PM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

L. Bernstein Overture to Candide

G. Verdi Triumphal March from Aida (Gloria all’Egitto) Orchestra and chorus

G. Rossini Largo al factotum from Barber of Seville Mr. Small

C. Saint-Saens Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse from: Samson & Delilah Ms. Thacker

J. Strauss Csardas from Die Fledermaus (The Bat) Ms. Sicking

C. Gounod Duet from Act IV from Romeo and Juliet Mr. Chacon and Ms. Sicking

G. Puccini Nessun Dorma from Turandot

A. Lara Granada Mr. Chacon

G. Verdi Finale: Brindisi from La Traviata Mr. Chacon, Ms. Sicking, Ms. Thacker, Mr. Small and chorus

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 39 GUEST ARTISTS

the artist’s first solo CD, entitled Arturo Chacón le canta a México, featuring some of the most beautiful Mexican music ever written and accompanied by his hometown orchestra, Orquesta Filarmónica de Sonora. It was released on the Naxos Label in May 2014. Arturo shares a long and important relationship with two of the reigning tenors of our day, Plácido Domingo and Ramón Vargas. Since discovering Arturo in 2000, Plácido Domingo has remained a friend and mentor of the younger artist, and the two have shared the operatic stage and concert platform many times. Arturo was awarded the Plácido Domingo Scholarship and Mr. Domingo himself helped launch Arturo’s international career after Arturo’s success in Arturo Chacón-Cruz the Operalia Competition. Arturo also enjoys Tenor a nurturing friendship with Ramón Vargas who became a mentor, teacher and friend of Arturo Chacón-Cruz, a native of Sonora, Arturo after he won the “Vargas Pro Opera” Mexico, has established himself in recent grant in 2005. years as a leading tenor with exciting debuts and appearances at renowned theaters In the 2011/2012 season, Arturo made his and concert halls across the globe. Since La Scala di Milano debut as Hoffmann, and winning Plácido Domingo’s Operalia Singing received a very warm reception from the Competition in 2005, Arturo’s career has audience and press: “He excellently portrayed seen a successful steady development the lovelorn poet, with a youthfulness that and his repertoire spans from lyric roles only made him more attractive, exhibiting from Bellini and Donizetti to Puccini and great mastery over his instrument and Verdi. Some of his more sought after roles an indeed pleasant high register, all in all, are: Jacopo Foscari, Gabriele Adorno, B.F. a brilliant participation”. During a busy Pinkerton, Rodolfo, the Duke of Mantua, 2012/2013 season, Arturo made an Alfredo, Hoffmann, Werther and Romeo to important role debut as Gabriel Adorno in name a few. Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra with a house debut at Göteborg Opera. The season also Arturo has received many honors and included appearances at the Bavarian State awards for his work, most recently the Opera in Munich, a debut at the Festival highly prestigious Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Medal Aix-en-Provence as the Duke in Rigoletto in Mexico, and was invited to perform a solo (directed by Robert Carsen with live broadcast concert with the Orquesta Filarmonica de on ARTE and DVD/BlueRay comercial Sonora, featuring Opera Arias and Mexican recording). He also returned to Malmö Opera songs, in Alamos, Sonora. In addition for a role debut as Roberto in Puccini’s Le Villi to an impressive existing discography, (in concert with CD recording).

40 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GUEST ARTISTS

Arturo’s recent role debut as Des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon at the Teatro del Palacio de Bellas Artes, México was met with critical acclaim, also his debut at the Theatre de la Monnaie in Brussels in April as the Duke of Mantua in a reprisal of Robert Carsen’s production from Aix-en-Provence, was completely sold out. He returned to Vienna’s Theater an der Wien the summer of 2014 for La Traviata, in a controversial Peter Konwitschny production with all sold out performances. As well as a last minute jump in for the opening night of the Festival season of the Munich Bavarian State Opera as Alfredo in La Traviata opposite Diana Damrau. Most recently Arturo reprised the role of Alfredo in La Traviata in Los Angeles opposite Nino Machaidze as Violetta and Haley Sicking Placido Domingo as Germont in Marta Domingo’s production placed in the 1920’s, Hailed by Opera News as “blossoming in real met with critical acclaim and adding an time” with “her creamily sung Rosalinde” extra performance due to audience demand. and in Brooklyn Discovery for her “Truly In recent months, the tenor was heard as bravura performance! Generous and ample Jacopo Foscari in Verdi’s I Due Foscari at soprano and strong coloratura,” soprano Theater an der Wien in Vienna opposite Haley Sicking has thrilled audiences with Plácido Domingo under the baton of James her versatile performances in opera, concert, Conlon, as the Duke of Mantua in León recital, musical theatre, jazz, and early and Guanajuato and in Strasbourg, France, contemporary music. “As Rosalinde, Haley Sicking is nothing short of a star: a tireless, in a Verdi Gala at the Festival Cervantino secure soprano that managed to be both in Mexico, in the title role of The Tales of voluminous and flexible. (Parterre box) Hoffmann in Tokyo (NNT), in Florencia en el Amazonas in Los Angeles and with Rigoletto Haley has performed leading opera roles such in Mexico City, Budapest and Verona, Carmen as: Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus (German and in Hamburg, Lyon and – in a concert version English), Pamina in Die Zauberflöte; Juliette – in Israel and with La Bohème in Macerata, in Roméo et Juliette; Fanny in La Cambiale di San Francisco and Hamburg, Giainni Schicchi Matrimonio; Helena in A Midsummer Night’s in Los Angeles, Werther in Budapest, Dream, Governess in The Turn of the Screw La Traviata in Munich. He also appeared (Cover ), and the Queen of Shemakha in in concert with a role debut of Faust in The Golden Cockerel (Cover ). Boito’s Mefistofelewith the Collegiate Chorale for a return to Carnegie Hall. A native of Dallas, TX, Miss Sicking holds a Master’s in Music from The Cincinnati His upcoming engagements include Rigoletto Conservatory of Music and a Bachelors in in Houston, Carmen in Tampere (Finland) and Music from the University of North Texas. in Arizona, La Traviata in Seville, La Bohème in San Francisco. CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 41 GUEST ARTISTS

(The Ballad of Baby Doe), and The Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors). Oratorio performances include the also solos of Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Mozart’s Requiem, and multiple other works. Organizations with which Dr. Thacker has performed include the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) Festival Orchestra (Austria), the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Greensboro Opera, the Texas All State Mixed Choir, and multiple guest artist appearances with universities, churches, and choral societies throughout the Southeastern United States. Devoted to the performance and portrayal of art song, Dr. Thacker performed as part of the inaugural event of the Art Song Hope Fairchild Thacker Institute in 2018 and continues to collaborate Recognized for her poignant and honest in regular recitals with its co-founder and portrayal of character (North Carolina), artistic director, collaborative pianist Dr. Cheryl mezzo-soprano Hope Fairchild Thacker has Cellon Lindquist, in recitals tours throughout graced venues across the United States Texas. She has premiered the works of and Europe. Most recently, she joined the American composers Dr. Dan Musselmann Southern Vocal Collective, a new professional and Dr. Jonathan Green at Carnegie Hall and choral ensemble, in June 2019 as a founding in recitals in Tennessee and Illinois (2013- member and board member at its inaugural 2016), as well as performing new music performance in Memphis, TN. Spring of 2019 at the internationally recognized Music by included multiple performances of American Women Festival (2016-2017). Following the composer Juliana Hall’s Theme in Yellow devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Dr. Thacker at the College Music Society’s Southern partnered with photographer Ambrosia Conference and in recital at the South Texas Washington and designed The Spirit and Art Museum, Corpus Christi, TX. Dr. Thacker the Sea, a recital whose songs centered performed the Texas premiere of a new work around water and spiritual matters related by Juliana Hall, Through the Guarded Gate, in to water paired with photography featuring both San Antonio and Corpus Christi, TX, as the waterscapes of South Texas. The recital part of the national song cycle tour Beyond toured through Texas and Louisiana in 2017- the Guarded Gate, sponsored by the Seattle 2018 with Dr. Lindquist as collaborative Art Song Society. pianist. Most recently, the recital Love Songs and a Kangaroo (2019) featured music by As an operatic performer, Dr. Thacker has American composers and premiered a work performed roles including Zita (Gianni by composer Ashi Day. Schicci ), Mercedes (Carmen), Cupid (Orpheus in the Underworld ), Augusta

42 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GUEST ARTISTS

A Mississippi native, Dr. Thacker earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. She earned a double masters degree in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance from USM as well. After completing the DMA in Vocal Performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Dr. Thacker has taught in universities in North Carolina, Tennessee, and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. She teaches studio voice, foreign language diction, vocal pedagogy, and vocal literature. Currently serving as the Director of Music at Asbury Church (UMC), Dr. Thacker is an active participant in the cultural life of Corpus Christi, having partnered with organizations including the Anton Nel, Jean Anderson Collier, Claude Corpus Christi Symphony Guild, Thursday Cymerman, and Joachim Reinhuber. In 2016 Music Club, the Corpus Christi Chorale, the he performed Samuel Barber‘s Dover Beach Del Mar Master Chorus, Parkway Presbyterian with the Shanghai Quartet and Schubert‘s Church, First United Methodist Church, Winterreise for the Chamber Music Society St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and of Detroit. St. Pious X Catholic Church. Selected as a NATS Master Teacher in 2011 David Small (one of four chosen nationally), he was an invited presenter for the 2008 NATS National David Small enjoys a vibrant career including Convention and has written articles for performances of 65 roles in 54 different Classical Singer Magazine. operas. Having performed Rossini‘s Figaro over 100 times, his repertoire includes He earned an Artist’s Diploma in Opera, a Rigoletto, Germont, Scarpia, and many others. MM in Performance (University of Cincinnati He has appeared with the St. Louis Symphony, College-Conservatory of Music studying with Rochester Philharmonic, Cincinnati May the great Metropolitan Opera basso Italo Tajo) Festival Orchestra, Austin Symphony in works and a BM degree from the DePauw University such as Brahms’ Requiem, Durufle Requiem, School of Music, studying with Thomas Elijah and recitals with pianists such as Fitzpatrick (student of Mack Harrell).

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 43 GUEST ARTISTS

for Do You Hear the People Sing, a tribute to the music of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil in collaboration with the National Symphony Pops Orchestra under the direction of Stephen Reineke The UMD Men’s Chorus was also selected to perform at the 2016 Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses National Seminar at the University of Illinois. Graf regularly performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under world-renowned conductors such as Helmuth Rilling, Marin Alsop, Matthew Halls, Masaaki Suzuki, Markus Stenz, and Nathalie Stutzmann. Graf also served seven years as Director of Choirs, Voice Instructor and Departmental Greg Graf Accompanist at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO where the choral program Is Assistant Professor of Music and Director quintupled in size under his tenure. In of Choral Activities at Del Mar College. Graf 2013, he was awarded the Outstanding received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in East-Central District Director Award with conducting from the University of Maryland the Missouri Choral Directors Association. College Park in 2016. During his time at the Graf also maintains an active schedule as UMD, he directed the UMD Men’s Chorus, guest clinician, teacher, pianist and judge for and under his preparation, they performed numerous honor choir festivals in the U.S. Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem with the along with future engagements in Mexico Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the and Indonesia. His wife and three daughters direction of Markus Stenz. Graf also prepared (and two cats) live in Corpus Christi, TX. the UMD Men’s and Women’s Choruses

44 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GUEST ARTISTS

Ms. Arlene Long Has had a long and joyful career making music. Her musical academic background includes a BM from Samford University and a MM from the University of Michigan. Her teaching career began in elementary school in Michigan, continued at Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, and currently at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, where she has taught musicianship, class and studio piano, and accompanying. Collaborative music has been a forte of hers, serving as accompanist for Corpus Christi Chorale for about twenty-five years, as well as principal keyboard in the Corpus Christi Symphony for thirty years. She co-founded and accompanied a chamber vocal group, Kantorei for several Arlene is in her fourth year as Artistic Director years. Currently she serves as music director of the Corpus Christi Chorale, a south at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, where the Texas community group of adult volunteers choir undertakes special projects regularly including some student singers. The Chorale in addition to regular Sunday music duties. presents at least three choral concerts each season with the intention of bringing to our In 2010 she directed the Heart of Texas city fresh, new choral compositions as well Chorale, touring France with concerts in as beloved favorites. Notre Dame Cathedral, La Madeleine, and the American Cemetery, Normandy Beach. The group changed its name to A Cappella Corpus Christi, and This group performed locally and in areas around Corpus Christi for several years, with great enthusiasm for exploring music in a deep and meaningful way.

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 45 PROGRAM NOTES

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART JACQUES OFFENBACH (1819-1880) (1756-1791) Kleinzach Ballad Overture to The Marriage of Figaro from Tales of Hoffmann The Marriage of Figaro (1786) was the first Tales of Hoffmann (1880) was Offenbach’s of three successful collaborations between final work and, sadly, he did not live to librettist Lorenzo da Ponte and Mozart. Based see the premiere. In the libretto, the poet on the second part of the Beaumarchais Hoffmann sits in a tavern recounting three of Figaro Trilogy, Mozart’s brilliant opera buffa his lost loves – a mechanical doll, a singer continues the story begun with Rossini’s and a woman who steals his reflection. The The Barber of Seville. As the curtain lifts, Kleinzach Ballad comes near the end of we find ourselves among the familiar the Prologue, when Hoffmann first arrives characters on the day of Figaro’s wedding and regales everyone with a song about a to Susanna but the ceremony is delayed legendary dwarf. by various intrigues, plots and other flights of aristocratic spoofery. Figaro shows, as GEORGES BIZET (1838-1875) much as anything he ever wrote, Mozart’s Habanera from Carmen effortless genius for the pairing of literary Only slightly luckier than Offenbach, Bizet absurdity and stunningly beautiful music. was in the very last months of his life when his opera Carmen premiered in March of GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813-1901) 1875. It would, in due time, become the Sempre libera and Brindisi greatest known and most beloved of his from La traviata works but Bizet had only its original rather Verdi and librettist Francesco Maria tepid reception to carry with him to the Piave based La traviata (1853) on a grave. The sultry and provocative Habanera contemporaneous play called La Dame moment occurs during Act I, when Carmen aux camélies. The story centers on sings to a group of factory workers about the Violetta, a Parisian courtesan who, like so rebellious nature of love. many of our most beloved opera people, suffers intermittent bouts of consumption GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813-1901) and seemingly constant fits of romantic Va Pensiero from Nabucco frustration. At the close of Act 1, Violetta The moving Hebrew Slave Chorus from sings the famous aria Sempre libera, Act III of Verdi’s Nabucco (1842) has long declaring that she chooses freedom over been associated with the burgeoning Italian th love. The famous Brindisi (Drinking Song), nationalism of the mid-19 century. The which occurs earlier in Act I, is performed by plot follows the exile of the Jews from their Violetta and Alfredo, who was challenged by homeland by King Nabucco and though party-goers to show off his voice. scholarship differs about whether or not the composer intended their song of longing as a rallying cry for his Italian compatriots, there is no doubt that history has since embraced Va Pensiero as such.

46 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROGRAM NOTES

AMILCARE PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) JULES MASSANET (1842-1912) Cielo e Mar from La Gioconda Pourqoui me revellier from Werther The libretto for La Gioconda (1876) was Massenet and his three librettists liberally taken from a prose play by Victor Hugo crafted the story of Werther from The entitled Angelo, Tyrant of Padua. It is a story, Sorrows of Young Werther by Goethe. of course, of love – Gioconda’s abiding love As the book title suggests, this was dark for her mother, Gioconda’s unrealized love material to work with as Werther the for Enzo and the unwelcome love Barnaba character turns out to be a desperately has for Gioconda. Cielo e Mar (Sky and Sea) love-sick and self-destructive soul. He sings comes from Act II and depicts Enzo standing Pourquoi me revellier in Act III after a watch on his ship and singing about his love conversation with his dear but unobtainable for Laura (not Gioconda!). Charlotte about their mutual love of the poet Ossian. Upon reflection of his lot, Werther is PIETRO MASCAGNI (1863-1901) compelled to ask “Why do you awaken me? Cavalleria rusticana O breath of spring?” Cavalleria rusticana (“rustic chivalry”) is a one-act opera adapted from a short of the LEONARD BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) same name by Giovanni Verga. This opera Overture to Candide is often performed alongside Leoncavallo’s Based on a satirical 1759 novella by Voltaire Pagliacci. In July 1888, the Milanese music called Candide: The Optimist, Bernstein’s publisher Edoardo Sonzogno announced 1956 comic operetta features a young man a competition open to all young Italian who is convinced that all things happen for composers who had not yet had an opera the best possible reasons. He travels the performed on stage. They were invited to world in a series of adventurous tests to his submit a one-act opera which would be naïve theory and Bernstein’s ability to juggle judged by a jury of five prominent Italian different musical styles aptly depicts the critics and composers. The best three would diverse succession of disasters encountered be staged in Rome at Sonzogno’s expense. by the “eternal optimist.” Aside from a few Mascagni heard about the competition only memorable and oft-excerpted arias, it is the two months before the closing date and fantastic overture that has kept this initially asked his friend Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti, a unsuccessful music in vogue today. poet and professor of literature at the Italian Royal Naval Academy in Livorno, to provide GIOACHINO ROSSINI (1792-1868) a libretto. Targioni-Tozzetti chose Cavalleria Largo al factotum rusticana, a popular short story (and play) by from Barber of Seville Giovanni Verga, as the basis for the opera. So calamitous and terrible was the premiere Cavalleria rusticana opened on May 17, of Rossini’s Barber of Seville, the composer 1890 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. The claimed to be ill for the second performance. audience included the most authoritative He could not have been at all surprised to music critics in Italy. It was a sensation, with find a torch-bearing mob at his door later Mascagni taking 40 curtain calls and winning that evening, but he had incorrectly divined the First Prize. their motive for being there. The second night was a huge success and the crowd

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 47 PROGRAM NOTES had come with bravos, not pitchforks. Largo the famous double death, Gounod and his al factotum occurs near the beginning of librettists left Shakespeare’s basic plot alone, the opera in Act I when Figaro treats us to a something that cannot be said for many of song about his many talents. the other operatic versions of the literary classic. For this and many other reasons, CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Gounod’s 1867 version still stands tallest Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse in the group and remains a required part of from Samson and Delilah every opera company’s regular rotation. Using Chapter 16 of the Book of Judges as inspiration, Saint-Saëns’ Samson and GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813-1901) – Delilah (1877) is a tale of Old Testament Triumphal March from Aida consequence that focuses more on Delilah Any discussion of an Aida production than the biblical hero with the magical hair. eventually turns to the subject of elephants. Unlike Barber, the premiere went very well, Will they have them? How many? Ever but it would not be until the 1890s that since the 1871 premiere in Cairo, which revivals began to appear throughout Europe. included a dozen of them, audiences have During Act II, Dalilah posits in Amour that expected to see live pachyderms during the not even Samson, with all of his legendary Triumphal March of Act II, when Radames strength, can resist the pull of her love. returns victorius to Egypt after routing the Ethiopians. The desire by opera lovers to JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825-1899) see such a thing confirms the power of Czardas from Die Fledermaus spectacle in this art form and, more practical It’s New Year’s Eve and Eisenstein but no less important, the power of a choral is supposed to go to jail for insulting set piece to make an incredibly dramatic somebody. But he wants to go to a party so statement on its own. he delays the arrival and instead involves himself in a mistaken identity farce that ends GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858-1924) – with him trying to seduce his own disguised Nessun Dorma from Turandot wife! Die Fledermaus (1874) was a big hit Just like Offenbach over 40 years before, at its premiere and remains a staple to Puccini would not live to see his final work this day. The Csardas aria comes in Act II, staged. In fact, he wasn’t even able to when Rosalinda arrives at the party dressed complete the score. That effort was to be as a Hungarian Countess and must sing made first by Franco Alfano, who relied on something culturally convincing to carry off Puccini’s sketches and reacted gracefully the ruse. to criticism from the work’s publisher and eventual conductor to get Turandot (1926) CHARLES GOUNOD (1818-1893) – to the theater. Nessun Dorma may well be Act IV Duet from Romeo and Juliette the most popular tenor aria in the repertory. The story of the star-crossed Montague Calaf sings it in Act III while he waits for and Capulet kids needs no introduction, but morning and the announcement of his name Gounod’s simply-stated telling of it probably to Turandot. does. Apart from the then common choice of re-awakening Juliet for a Duet before

48 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Hector Guzman, Music Director Featuring Arturo Chacon, Tenor ; Hope Fairchild Thacker, Mezzo-Soprano; David Small, Baritone; Haley Sicking, Soprano; Del Mar Master Chorus, Greg Graf, Director ; and Corpus Christi Chorale, Director, Arlene Long VIOLIN I Teresa Nguyen BASSOON CORPUS CHRISTI *Elisabeth Adkins, Shawn Somerville *Michael Frederick SYMPHONY Concertmaster Scott Pool ADMINISTRATION Pablo Donatti Veronica Salinas Lopez Dr. Mark L. Francis, Darryl Tolliver HORN Executive Director Steve McMillan, *Roger Simmons Associate CELLO Anthony Martin Madeline Schmidt, Concertmaster *Susan Sturman Karl Kemm Director of Helen Pat Karakas Carrie Pierce Wanda Avila Development & Joel Bright, Marketing Elizabeth Frederick Sarah Milnarich Horn Assistant Medea Guldedava Phyllis Kline Theresa Gayle, TRUMPET Operations & Personnel Emily Madonia Nancy Bandy *Ron Ledbetter Manager Bethany Raynes Rex Spencer Mary Thornton Kyle Milsap Victoria N. Alaniz, Ryan Coppin Cynthia Foster Office & Box Office Danny Diaz Murzi Patrick Hopkins TROMBONE Manager *Paul Hageman Johnny Chang BASS Edward Avila Joyce Flores, Thomas Vanderbrook *George Amorim Oscar Diaz Development Jeff Swope & Marketing VIOLIN II TUBA Coordinator *Nina Mavrinac Robert Burwell *Dan Sipes Lynn Butler Bradford Diego Garza Molly Pierce Design, TIMPANI Graphic Designer Nancy Reyes Robert Ramon *John Godoy Eva Weber Isai Martinez Hayden Forsythe, PERCUSSION Music Librarian Bruce Kanagaki FLUTE * Randy Fluman Oscar Dodier *Diana Sipes Victor Lara Dr. Dan T. Sipes, Jasmine Kienne Richard Rodriguez Audio Engineer & Laura Caprez Izumi Miyahara University Consultant Claudia Ferguson HARP OBOE *Naomi Hofmeyer Freddy Galindo, Pedro Vera * Stanley Chyi Stage Manager Juan Fiestas Serena Rowe PIANO *David Sutanto VIOLA CLARINET *Jennifer Cahill Clark *Alan Olson * denotes Principal Stephanie Phillips Julie Linder James Warth Jennifer Alger Carrie Howell

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 49 SAT., DECEMBER 7 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 7:30PM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Del Mar College Concert Choir and Del Mar Master Chorus, Dr. Greg Graf, director Diane Wittry, guest conductor

Rimsky-Korsakov Procession of the Nobles from Mlada arr. Cerulli It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year victor Herbert /McAlister-Kalmus March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Green Sleeves Stanford E. Scriven Christ the Appletree Holst arr. Raney In the Bleak Midwinter / Still Still Still Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers Jerry Herman arr Mark Hayes We Need a Little Christmas from Mame

INTERMISSION

Rimsky Korsakov Polonaise from the Christmas Eve Suite Bizet Carillon from L’Alesienne Suite No. 1 arr. Jeffery Biegel Hanukah Fantasy David/Custer Stille Nacht arr. Krogstad The Christmas Song Jim Stephenson Jingle Bell Rock arr. Finnegan Christmas Singalong Jingle bells Joy to the World Hark the Harold Angels Sing Deck the Halls Oh Come all ye Faithful

50 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GUEST ARTISTS

Greg Graf Is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Del Mar College. Graf received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Maryland College Park in 2016. During his time at the UMD, he directed the UMD Men’s Chorus, and under his preparation, they performed Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Markus Stenz. Graf also prepared the UMD Men’s and Women’s Choruses for Do You Hear the People Sing, a tribute to the music of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil in collaboration with the National Symphony Pops Orchestra under the direction of Stephen Reineke The UMD 2013, he was awarded the Outstanding Men’s Chorus was also selected to perform East-Central District Director Award with at the 2016 Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses the Missouri Choral Directors Association. National Seminar at the University of Illinois. Graf also maintains an active schedule as Graf regularly performed with the National guest clinician, teacher, pianist and judge for Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore numerous honor choir festivals in the U.S. Symphony Orchestra under world-renowned along with future engagements in Mexico conductors such as Helmuth Rilling, Marin and Indonesia. His wife and three daughters Alsop, Matthew Halls, Masaaki Suzuki, (and two cats) live in Corpus Christi, TX. Markus Stenz, and Nathalie Stutzmann. Graf also served seven years as Director of Choirs, Voice Instructor and Departmental Accompanist at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO where the choral program quintupled in size under his tenure. In

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 51 GUEST ARTISTS

Osaka Symphony (Japan), the Sarajevo Philharmonic (Bosnia), Sias Symphony (China), among others. She has also conducted at the music festivals of Ojai (CA), Penn’s Woods (PA), and I-Park (CT). During the past few seasons, she has conducted concerts in 11 countries as well as concerts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Diane Wittry is sought after as a teacher of conducting. Her book Beyond the Baton, (Oxford University Press) about artistic leadership for conductors has become a standard text for the industry. Her second book, Baton Basics – Communicating Music through Gestures, is used at Universities for their conducting classes and for International Diane Wittry Conducting Workshops in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Guest Conductor and the United States. Named as one of the “Top 30 Music Wittry has been the subject of profiles in The Influencers” by Musical America Worldwide, New York Times and Newsweek, and has Conductor, Diane Wittry, is the Music Director received many honors and awards, including and Conductor of the Allentown Symphony, the American Symphony Orchestra League’s PA and the Music Director and Conductor Helen M. Thompson Award for outstanding of the Garden State Philharmonic, NJ. artistic leadership of a regional orchestra. Diane Wittry is known for her innovative She is also only the third American to be programming and her engaging audience named – in recognition of her leadership in rapport. She is a conductor who “specializes the arts and humanities – the recipient of in finding creative ways to make the music the prestigious Fiorino Doro Award from the fresh, accessible, and exciting.” City of Vinci, Italy. Diane Wittry has led performances by the More information about Diane Wittry’s work Milwaukee Symphony, the Los Angeles is available at: www.DianeWittry.com Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the

52 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra Home For The Holidays Diane Wittry, Guest Conductor

VIOLIN I CELLO HORN CORPUS CHRISTI *Elisabeth Adkins, *Susan Sturman *Roger Simmons SYMPHONY Guest Concertmaster Diego Rodriguez Anthony Martin ADMINISTRATION Pablo Donatti Karl Kemm Dr. Mark L. Francis, Sarah Milnarich Wanda Avila Executive Director Steven McMillan, Phyllis Kline Associate TRUMPET Madeline Schmidt, Concertmaster Nancy Bandy *Ron Ledbetter Director of Jose Flores Rex Spencer Mary Thornton Development & Marketing Medea Guldedava BASS TROMBONE Helen Pat Karakas *Robert Burwell *Paul Hageman Andres Vela Theresa Gayle, Edward Avila Operations & Personnel Milena Georgieva Oscar Diaz Gregory Myata Diego Garza Manager Robert Ramon TUBA VIOLIN II *Dan Sipes Victoria N. Alaniz, *Nina Mavrinac FLUTE Office & Box Office Nancy Reyes *Diana Sipes TIMPANI Manager Jasmine Kienne *John Godoy Steve Merson Joyce Flores, Bruce Kanagaki OBOE PERCUSSION Development *Rachel Messing *Randy Fluman & Marketing Pedro Vera Jenifer Bernard James Young Coordinator Laura Caprez Victor Lara CLARINET Molly Pierce Design, VIOLA *Ivan Petruzziello HARP Graphic Designer *Jennifer Clark Alan Olson *Carly Nelson Melissa Melendez Julie Linder Hayden Forsythe, PIANO Music Librarian Jennifer Alger BASSOON *David Sutanto Teresa Nguyen *Mark Rogers Dr. Dan T. Sipes, Amy Plazek Veronica Salinas Lopez * denotes Principal Audio Engineer & Darryl Tolliver University Consultant Freddy Galindo, Stage Manager

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 53 54 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 55

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 57 58 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA THE LEGACY FOREVER SOCIETY The Endowment of the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra*

WHAT IS IT? The Legacy Forever Society honors donors who preserve and pass on the CCSO’s promise through a gift that provides a reliable source of income to the symphony in perpetuity. We cordially invite you to join the Legacy Forever Society so that we may recognize your generosity and provide a point of pride for your children, grandchildren, and countless future generations. THE LEGACY FOREVER SOCIETY Donors whose generous contributions to the Legacy Forever Society result in annual income for the CCSO.

$1,000 - $4,999 annual income $5,000 - $9,999 annual income Jeff and Mary Bell Foundation Gene Seaman Family John O. and Louise G. Chapman Mr. Robert & Dr. Mary Jane Hamilton $10,000 - $20,000 annual income Patty and Henry Nuss

HERE’S’ HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE A planned charitable gift to the CCSO is an investment in our orchestra and a gift to future generations of your family. CASH CONTRIBUTIONS allow the donor to receive the tax benefits of a gift in the year they are made. Outright gifts of cash are the most direct and immediate way of helping the CCSO in this important undertaking. PLEDGES make up a majority of commitments made. These may be paid over as many as five or more years. Pledges are the most popular form of commitment as they allow donors to best manage their giving. SECURITIES Gifts of appreciated securities or other marketable assets are welcome. A gift of appreciated securities may provide significant tax advantages when compared to gifts of cash. REAL ESTATE or other property gifts are welcome but are subject to final acceptance by the CCSO board of directors. All costs of appraisal or valuation are at the donor’s expense. LIFE INSURANCE When the CCSO is named as sole and irrevocable owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the market value (usually the cash surrender value) of the policy is deductible as a charitable gift. ESTATE GIFTS A bequest in a donor’s will serves as a lasting tribute to a person’s life and to the work of the CCSO.

CREATE A LEGACY – now and forever. *Administered by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 59 60 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 61

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 63 64 | CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA