This event is FREE and tickets are not required. Underwritten by Christine Colucci RPO For All Sponsor The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra brings its beloved Around the Town series to East High School Tuesday, April 28. An Evening of Overtures is the perfect introduction for first-time classical music listeners and a delightful treat for seasoned concert-goers alike because this concert reads like symphonic music’s “greatest hits”. Overtures are the cinematic opening statements of the operatic and theatrical world: compact, dramatic, and bursting with melody from the very first note. The program spans centuries and continents, opening with the infectious energy of Smetana’s Bartered Bride Overture (a whirlwind of Czech folk spirit) before traveling to the misty Scottish coastline with Mendelssohn’s hauntingly beautiful Hebrides Overture. Offenbach’s riotous Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld (yes, the one with that cancan) brings irresistible fun, while Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture delivers one of the most achingly romantic melodies ever written. Strauss’ sparkling Die Fledermaus Overture conjures the glittering ballrooms of Vienna, and the evening closes with the wide-open Americana swagger of John Williams’ Cowboys Overture. Whether you’re a lifelong RPO devotee or stepping into the world of orchestral music for the very first time, this is one night you won’t want to miss — and best of all, it’s completely free.
