Sinfonietta and Shedd Aquarium present final concert in the 2008-09 Chamber Music Series

The Chicago Sinfonietta and Shedd Aquarium’s final concert in the 2008-2009 Chamber Music Series on Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive will celebrate the majesty of earth and water.  Entitled “The Glory of Creation,” the performance will include Antonio Vivaldi’s lively and fresh “Spring” from violin concertos “The Four Seasons,” his best-known work and one of the most popular pieces of Baroque music; “Poeme” by Czech composer Zdenek Fibich; Billy Strayhorn’s jazz classic “Chelsea Bridges” featuring guest jazz artist Mwata Bowden; a Reneé Baker original entitled “Pratigraha” for chamber ensemble featuring butoh dance artist Nicole LeGette; and the Steward Wilson Gospel Singers performing contemporary gospel music by composers Richard Smallwood, Laurie Goss and others.

The chamber ensemble is directed by Sinfonietta principal violist Reneé Baker and members include Nicole Mitchell and Greg Blackburn, flutes; Todd Matt-hews, Carmen Kassinger, Phyllis Sanders and Melanie Clevert, violins; Tony Porter, cello; Karl EH Seigfried, bass; Bruce Nelson, vibes and percussion; Larry Bowen, Robert Griffin, trumpets; Steve Berry, trombone; and Daniel Won, clarinet.

Each family-friendly concert lasts approximately one hour and is followed by a question and answer session conducted by a member of the aquarium staff and a Chicago Sinfonietta musician. Shedd Aquarium will open at 6:00 p.m. for concert-goers to visit with more than 26,000 animals representing 1,500 species. Light supper and bar service is available in the Foyer Café, where ticket holders can dine while admiring the historic architecture of the Kovler Family Hall.

Tickets are $15, $10 for Sinfonietta subscribers and Shedd members and can be purchased by calling the Sinfonietta Box Office at 312-236-3681 x 2.

The Chicago Sinfonietta, now in its 22nd season, has enriched the cultural, educational, and social quality of life in Chicago while gaining significant recognition on the national and international stage. The orchestra performs at Chicago’s Symphony Center and Lund Auditorium of Dominican University and presents a full season of symphonic concerts as well as a Chamber Series. The Chicago Sinfonietta is the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet. Under the guidance of founding Music Director Paul Freeman, the orchestra performs at the highest artistic level and has achieved an outstanding reputation for its innovative programs.

The Sinfonietta is dedicated to the authentic performance of Classical, Romantic and Contemporary repertoire and excels at presenting imaginative new works by composers and soloists of color. Chicago Sinfonietta musicians truly represent the city’s rich cultural landscape and continue to fulfill the orchestra’s mission of Musical Excellence through Diversity™. A 2007 survey of major orchestras revealed that the Chicago Sinfonietta is the most diverse professional orchestra in the United States. Through this distinction, the Chicago Sinfonietta serves as a national model for inclusiveness in classical music.
Story posted: 4/11/2009

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