Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra Presents Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” January 31, 2010

Jan. 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra (MCO), in collaboration with In Tandem Theatre, presents Igor Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.
The performance will take place in the intimate space of Calvary Presbyterian Church, 935 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Individual tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $10 for students with school ID. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.theMCO.org, by phone at 414-881-9900, or at the door. All patrons are invited to a free wine-tasting one hour prior to the concert, presented by Vino 100 of Wauwatosa. Wine will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the MCO.

“Can anyone beat the Devil at his own game?” asks Richard Hynson, MCO music director. “Come watch an all-star cast of actors and  musicians tell the story of the hapless soldier who challenges the treacherous Devil at his own game.  He is successful… or is he?”

Seven musicians comprise the orchestra: Jeanyi Kim, violin; Dennis Najoom, trumpet; William Helmers, clarinet; Beth Giacobassi, bassoon; David Lussier, trombone; Catherine McGinn, bass; and Thomas Wetzel, percussion.  Three actors are also in the production: In Tandem Theatre co-founder, Chris Flieller, portrays the narrator; Michael Cotey plays the soldier; and Bill Watson is the Devil.

Igor Stravinsky wrote “A Soldier’s Tale” (“L’Histoire du Soldat”) in 1918. This retelling of the story of Faust describes a soldier heading home from the war, eager to start a new life and family. On the way, he strikes a bargain with the Devil, trading a violin for a book that will show him how to obtain all that he can desire. As usual with Faust, the soldier gets what he asks for, but loses everything he wants.

The MCO’s 2009-2010 season will conclude on Friday, April 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. William Helmers, MCO principal clarinetist, will perform Aaron Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto.” “One of the first recordings I owned was of Benny Goodman playing the Copland Concerto,” said Helmers. “Benny's pure tone and direct, honest musicianship had a great influence on my clarinet playing.”  One of Bela Bartok’s best known works, “Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste,” is also on the program.

The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, the only professional chamber orchestra in the greater Milwaukee area, has been performing the highest quality chamber music for more than 30 years. The MCO provides a unique experience for audience members as well as important performance opportunities to professional musicians in the area, many of whom play with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and are in demand around the world. Richard Hynson’s position is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, which was made possible by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, the only professional chamber orchestra in the Greater Milwaukee Area, provides a unique, intimate musical experience for its audience. Director Richard Hynson continues a 30 year tradition. www.theMCO.org