by Reading Symphony Orchestra
The Reading Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce an enchanting evening of music with the upcoming performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Santander Performing Arts Center on Nov. 4.
Embark on a journey as this group of talented musicians bring to life the timeless tale of “Romeo and Juliet,” a narrative that has captivated hearts for centuries. This masterful composition is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare’s tragic love story.
The performance begins with Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, Op. 104, a masterful work composed between 1894 and 1895. Known for its melodic richness, the concerto comprises three movements, showcasing the virtuosity of the solo cellist and Dvořák’s profound connection to nature. Renowned for its beauty and emotional depth, it remains a cherished piece in the classical repertoire.
The Reading Symphony Orchestra will then perform Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. This ballet score was composed in the mid-1930s, capturing the tragic love story of Shakespeare’s famous play. The music, known for its expressive and evocative qualities, vividly portrays the emotions, tensions, and ultimate tragedy of the young lovers. It has become one of Prokofiev’s most celebrated works, appreciated both as a ballet and as a standalone orchestral suite, frequently performed in concert halls globally.
Conducted by Reading Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director, Andrew Constantine, the Nov. 4 performance will feature Dvořák’s Cello Concerto and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.
Join us at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Santander Performing Arts Center. Get your tickets today at www.readingsymphony.org or at (610)373-7557.
Since 1913, the Reading Symphony Orchestra has been providing uninterrupted access to exceptional classical music to the citizens of Berks County and beyond. Throughout the past 108 years as one of the nation’s continuously operating symphonies, the RSO has performed masterworks from Bach to Beethoven and many more and has been joined by illustrious guest soloists including soprano Renée Fleming, pianists Yuja Wang and Fabio Bidini, violinists Pinchas Zukerman and Midori, and guitarist Jason Vieaux.
The RSO has blossomed under the artistic leadership of Maestros Harry Fahrbach, Walter Pfeiffer, Hans Kindler, Alexander Hilsberg, Louis Vyner, Sidney Rothstein, and its current music director, Andrew Constantine. The orchestra currently performs six concerts annually on its Classics series with additional Pops performances and collaborations with other community performing arts organizations.
The RSO’s numerous educational and outreach programs continue to benefit the community. Among others, the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings program gives talented area music students the opportunity to perform advanced orchestral repertoire with like-minded peers under the guidance of high-caliber artistic staff; the Orchestra Zone program provides free private instrumental music lessons to underserved students in the Reading School District; and the Masterclass series gives community members an opportunity to learn from visiting soloists. www.readingsymphony.org
Dr. Tommy Mesa has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2023 Sphinx Medal of Excellence Award, First Prize in the 2016 Sphinx Competition, and the title of Winner of the Astral Artists 2017 National Auditions. His remarkable talent has graced renowned stages, featuring solo performances with major orchestras such as The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, The Cleveland Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
In the upcoming seasons, Dr. Tommy Mesa is set to captivate audiences with premieres and tours, including Jessie Montgomery’s Divided for solo cello and orchestra. His schedule boasts around thirty recitals, a residency at Colburn Conservatory, and curated chamber music programs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he will debut a concerto recording with Sphinx Virtuosi on Deutsche Grammophon and collaborate on duo recording projects with Olga Kern, JP Jofre, and Michelle Cann. Notable venues include Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, The Supreme Court of the United States, Colburn School of Music, Kohler Foundation, and many others.
Dr. Tommy Mesa’s impact on the classical music scene was recently highlighted in Strings Magazine’s September/October 2020 cover story. www.tommymesa.com
