Pacific Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Lawrence Kohl, performs Beethoven’s monumental Symphony #9 September 14, 7:30 pm Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church 24 Knox, Lafayette and September 15, 3:00 pm Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street in Livermore.
According to Conductor Lawrence Kohl, “Beethoven's 9th Symphony defied categorization, leapfrogging to a new pinnacle of what the symphonic form can achieve. The audience musically travels and experiences with Beethoven the hero’s inner journey from mysterious and humble beginnings to thundering triumph expressed in Beethoven’s setting of Schiller’s enduring “Ode to Joy” featuring Soprano Rhoslyn Jones, Mezzo Sylvie Jensen, Tenor Christopher Bengochea, Baritone Ben Brady, and the combined Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir/Pacific Chamber Orchestra choirs, Brett Strader Chorus Master.” Brett Strader, Chorus Master adds, As LOPC’s first collaboration with PCO Chorus Master Brett Strader sees, “a great opportunity to make new friends through making music together and supports LOPC’s church-wide goal to engage positively with our community both ‘on and off the hill’. In these increasingly divisive times, I hope this performance will warm the hearts of performer and listener alike, and stoke a passion for unity among all.”
The vocal soloists are must see distinguished stars. Rhoslyn Jones (Soprano), who was a part of the prestigious Adler Fellowship Program at San Francisco Opera has been describe as "The delicious diva" and a "superb singer and artistic presence." In addition to her operate roles, Silvie Jensen (Mezzo-soprano) frequently concertizes. She had solo debut at Carnegie Hall was singing St. Matthew Passion with Ivan Fischer and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. The New York Times described her voice as "Marvelous, elegant, and beautiful.” Her solo album Who Is Silvie? is available on iTunes. Christopher Bengochea (tenor) is a prize-winning international opera tenor heralded as having "power, sure intonation, and fine diction that come in a package tied with ribbon of natural sound. It is a unique broadly projected "wide" sound that can serve lyrical or heroic music equally well." Ben Brady (bass-baritone) has been recognized for his “sonorous” tone by SF Classical Voice, and “commanding” stage presence by SF Gate. In October 2018, he was selected as a finalist in the San Francisco District of the Metropolitan Opera Council auditions.
The members of the Pacific Chamber Orchestra also appear in such prestigious groups as the San Francisco Symphony, Opera and Ballet Orchestras, touring Broadway shows, and feature films recorded at Skywalker Ranch. They are touring soloists and chamber musicians. Conductor Lawrence Kohl delivers “Electrifying performances with just the right blend of public rhetoric and intimae delicacy”. San Francisco Chronicle
Tickets for The Monumental – Beethoven’s 9th Symphony September 14, 7:30 pm at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church in Lafayette and September 15, 3:00 pm at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore are available at www.PacificChamberOrchestra.org or for the Livermore by calling or visiting the Bankhead box office 925-373-6800 located at 2400 First Street, Livermore.