Arts & Entertainment
Weston Students to Perform in Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras
Students to perform Vivaldi's Falstaff on Jan. 22 at Harvard.
Editor's note: The following is an edited press release from the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO).
Weston students Katya Checkovich (viola), Leland Ko (cello), Stephanie Palocz (horn) and Bonnie Wong (violin) will perform with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) when it presents Falstaff, one of Verdi’s most acclaimed, humorous, and brilliant operas. Adapted by Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor and scenes from Henry IV, this lyric comedy tells the story of the clever Falstaff, and his intricate plot to swoon two wealthy wives. Verdi’s captivating music is performed by Boston Youth Symphony (BYS) musicians center stage, professional singers in the coveted main roles, and a chorus, all coming together in this one-time exciting performance.
Verdi’s Falstaff was first performed in 1893 in Milan, and was the composer’s last opera. It is also one of three operas, which also include Macbeth and Othello, that he wrote based on Shakespearean characters. Falstaff’s brilliant orchestration and libretto have made it a classic and one of Verdi’s most enduring operas.
This is the fifth consecutive year that BYSO presents a full, semi-staged opera performance and is the only U.S. youth orchestra to do so. After last year’s sold-out performance of Macbeth, BYSO will present a Verdi opera for the second time. This semi-staged production will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
This performance of Falstaff will be conducted by BYSO Music Director Federico Cortese. Marc Astafan will provide stage direction, and the performance will feature the Handel and Haydn Society Chorus. This opera is in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Boston.
This one-time-only performance takes place on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University. Tickets start at $25 and discounted student and senior tickets are available; call Sanders Theatre Box Office at 617- 496-2222. Free parking is available at the Broadway Garage on Felton Street.
More information about the BYSO and its 53rd season schedule is available at www.BYSOweb.org.