Winston-Salem, NC – The Winston-Salem Symphony (WSS) will perform the final concerts of the 2007-2008 season, Heroes and the American Dream, on Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m.; and Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m.  Music Director Robert Moody conducts the orchestra in works by Beethoven and Peter Boyer. 

The May 18 and 20 concerts are part of the Symphony’s Classics Series and feature two works celebrating heroes:  Beethoven’s Symphony no. 3, “Eroica,” and Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Symphony’s Box Office, 336.464.0145.  For more information, visit the Symphony’s website, www.wssymphony.org.

Written in 1804, Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony is considered the transitional work which marked the beginning of the Romantic period and the end of the Classical era.  Originally intended as an homage to Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the most heroic figures of the day, “Eroica’s” breadth, boldness, and emotional impact suggest movement in a new direction for both the composer and symphonic writing.  According to musicologist David Levy, “The chief glory of the “Eroica” Symphony lies in its synthesis of the spirit of the French revolutionary style (which greatly influenced Beethoven’s writing at the time) with the formalities of the four-movement symphony to create a work of unparalleled and unprecedented scope and power.”  

Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America is a triumphant work that honors and remembers those who came to this country at the turn of the last century in search of the American Dream. According to Boyer’s website, the innovative work combines “theatrical and orchestral performance with projected images,” similar in style to Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.    Actors from the School of Drama at the North Carolina School of the Arts (Lindsay Atwood, Crystal Arnette, Ben Yannette, Danny Yoerges and Christy Young) will share the compelling personal stories of seven European immigrants, as the WSS performs Boyer’s original score with images of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island projected in the background.  Boyer’s own recording of Ellis Island: The Dream of America – featuring actors Barry Bostwick, Blair Brown, Olympia Dukakis, Anne Jackson, Bebe Neuwirth, Eli Wallach and Louis Zorich with the Philharmonia Orchestra - received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Contemporary Composition in 2006.  Since its premiere in 2002, this profoundly moving work has been performed over 50 times to wide critical and audience acclaim.  Tickets for the Classics Series performance of Heroes and the American Dream are $15-$50.

The Saturday, May 17, performance is part of the Symphony’s Kicked-Back Classics Series.  The 80-90 minute concert will be presented without intermission and is perfect for anyone who is curious about classical music. The atmosphere will be casual and Music Director Robert Moody will be speaking from the stage to bring great orchestral music to life in a 21^st Century way!  Excerpts from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 and Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America will be performed.  Tickets for the Kicked-Back Classics Series performance of Heroes and the American Dream are $10-$35.

Concert Activities
The Winston-Salem Symphony invites children, ages 4-10, to join Kids’ Club one hour prior to the Saturday performance in an exploration of music and symphonic performances.   Adults are invited to join Music Director Robert Moody and the musicians after the Saturday night concert for “Brews with Bob” (or “Root beer with Robert”). Post-concert Q&A sessions follow both the Sunday and Tuesday performances.

Lineup of Symphony events
 

Kicked-Back Classics Series Concert:

“Heroes and the American Dream”

Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Stevens Center of the NC School of the Arts

 

Classics Series Concerts:

“Heroes and the American Dream”

Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Stevens Center of the NC School of the Arts