Laughs, audience participation and a royal visit will mark the closing of the 2012-2013 concert season for the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra.
The symphony will perform in Penticton on May 18 bringing cherished British tradition to the concert, Last Night of the Proms.
“All of our musicians, staff and guest artists are really looking forward to this performance,” states Rosemary Thomson, Music Director of the Orchestra. “It’s a fun way to end off such an incredible concert season.”
Dawn Mussellam, soprano and the Okanagan Symphony Chorus will join for classic anglophile favourites by Elgar, Parry, Arne, Vaughan Williams, Holst and others. The Empire on which the sun never sets will be alive and well for these performances, as will the great tradition of musical hijinks. Britannia will rule, Union Jacks, Pomp and Circumstance will abound.
“We encourage guests to come in their best attire including ladies wearing their favourite fascinators for this British tradition coming to the Okanagan with all the belles and whistlers” said Thomson. “Our guest performers local favourite Dawn Mussellam has a voice that will motivate the crowds and guest Christine Pilgrim joins in on stage for this evening of comedy.”
Mussellam gained stage experience with the Manitoba Opera Association early in her career and set off internationally when she moved to Tartu Estonia and took up the position of lead soprano with the Vanemuine Opera Theatre.
In just two performance seasons, she sang five major operatic roles and was given less than 48 hours notice, as a last minute replacement to appear with the Latvian National Opera in Riga. After returning to Canada she continued her career with various ensembles before settling in Kelowna.
Tickets for performance in Penticton on May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleland Community Theatre are available at the Wine Country Information Centre in Penticton or online via www.okanagansymphony.com.
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is the third largest professional Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia; entertaining residents of the Okanagan Valley and visitors from around the globe with symphonic music since 1960.