SU Oratorio Society to perform ‘Fidelio’ with Syracuse Symphony Orchestra as part of Beethoven Festival Jan. 25-26

SU Oratorio Society to perform ‘Fidelio’ with Syracuse Symphony Orchestra as part of Beethoven Festival Jan. 25-26January 25, 2008Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

On Friday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 26, members of the Syracuse University Oratorio Society will perform as special guests with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) in “Fidelio,” part of the SSO’s Alliance Bank Beethoven Festival. The concert will be held at 8 p.m. on both nights at the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter.

Concert goers will discover one of Beethoven’s rarely heard gems for violin and orchestra, Romance No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra; experience the monumental Symphony No. 7; and enjoy selections from the only opera ever penned by the universally loved composer.

The performance, conducted by SSO Music Director Daniel Hege, will feature local guest artists, including soprano and SU faculty member Janet Brown, tenor and former SU faculty member Robert Allen, bass Jimi James, violinist Andrew Zaplatynsky, tenor Vinson Cole, soprano Aimee Willis, bass Richard McKee and baritone and SU faculty member Eric Johnson.

Fans may listen to select excerpts from Beethoven Festival programs, read program notes, and view “The Hege Perspective,” featuring the SSO music director’s insights into Beethoven and his works, at http://www.SyracuseSymphony.org.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the SSO at (315) 424-8200 or (800) 724-3810, or visit them online.

Under the direction of Elisa Macedo Dekaney, faculty member in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the SU Oratorio Society is a mixed vocal ensemble composed of SU students, faculty, staff and community members who enrich the Syracuse community through education and development of choral music. Founded in 1975, the choir specializes in choral works from the Renaissance to the present, and its repertoire includes international, multicultural and commissioned works. The ensemble rehearses at Crouse College, collaborates with the SSO, and performs at locations throughout the Syracuse community.