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WNO's new Music Director Tomáš Hanus to conduct WNO Orchestra, Chorus and Community Chorus in Mahler’s Symphony No 2 |
In his first official engagement as WNO Music Director, Tomáš Hanus will conduct the Company in concert at St David’s Hall, Cardiff on Thursday 20 October at 7.30pm. WNO Orchestra and Chorus will be joined by the WNO Community Chorus in a performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No 2 ‘Resurrection’. The performance, which forms part of the St David’s Hall International Concert Series and features more than 200 performers, will see WNO Orchestra, Chorus and Community Chorus perform alongside renowned soloists Rebecca Evans and Karen Cargill. The ensembles will come together to perform a work which encompasses exultation, despair and nostalgia, culminating in a terrifying vision of the last judgement and crowned by one of the most serenely joyful endings in any Mahler symphony. This performance of Mahler’s second symphony follows the success of WNO’s performance of his fourth (again with Rebecca Evans) in January 2016 and is set to be a fitting start to the tenure of Tomáš Hanus as Music Director. Rebecca Evans returns to WNO following triumphant performances in the Company’s productions of Handel’s Orlando and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Rebecca will also sing the role of The Marschallin in WNO’s production of Der Rosenkavalier, also to be conducted by Tomáš Hanus, in the summer of 2017. Mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill makes her WNO debut at St David’s Hall amidst a packed 2016/2017 season, where she also sings with the Royal Concertgebouw, Philadelphia, Bavarian Radio Symphony and London Symphony orchestras. Speaking about the forthcoming concert, Tomáš Hanus said: ‘The music of Gustav Mahler has a very special power: the power to touch people’s hearts, the power to affect them, to cause tears. As a beautiful piece, it can bring people together, to listen together, to be happy together and to feel close to each other. ‘Gustav Mahler did not have an easy life and did not reach success easily. Quite the opposite, he had to fight, both as an artist and as a person. He speaks to our time – about who an artist could be, what music means to humanity. But he speaks to all generations, even to those who have never had an opportunity for close contact with classical music. ‘Mahler’s Symphony No 2 ’Resurrection‘ is a thrilling piece, singing of the greatness of human life and human hope. It is a joy to play as well as to hear. I cannot wait to be a part of this concert, together with WNO Orchestra, Chorus and Community Chorus!’ WNO Artistic Director David Pountney added: “Tomáš’s conducting of the revival of our From the House of the Dead at the Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland this summer was incandescent, so I am extremely excited about him joining forces with our wonderful Orchestra and Chorus. He will be an inspirational musical leader for the Company.’ More information on the concert is available at wno.org.uk |
| Michael Kelligan web site: mgsmkelly1@gmail.com |
| WNO e-mail: wno.org.uk |
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 |
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