D I G I TA L P R O G R A M B O O K
JUNE 12 – 26, 2022 Symphony Park @ SouthPark
SWING into SUMMER Sunday, June 12
HOORAY for HOLLYWOOD! Sunday, June 19
From BOHÈME to BROADWAY Sunday, June 26
CSO Summer Pops is presented by
704.972.2000 | charlottesymphony.org
Your Charlotte Symphony returns to Truist Field for a grand slam!
present
Wednesday, June 22 8:30 pm
Tickets start at $25!
Get your tickets at charlottesymphony.org
WELCOME
Welcome! The summer season is a highlight of the Charlotte Symphony’s year — a time when we’re able to tour Charlotte’s beautiful parks and its diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, sharing with our community the beauty and power of live orchestral music. June is a particularly busy month for the Symphony! Summer Pops returns to Symphony Park with three programs featuring Big-Band music, Hollywood favorites, and a special collaboration with Opera Carolina. Patriotic works take center stage — or should I say center field — at our annual “Celebrate America” concert at Truist Field, and we’ll experience the magic of John Williams’s brilliant score for Jurassic Park when the CSO performs the music live to the film.
The Symphony will also present five free community concerts throughout the Charlotte region this month, including the CSO’s debut at Little Rock AME Zion Church, and two On Tap performances at Cabarrus and Triple C Breweries. We’re so proud that the CSO’s Summer Pops concerts have become a yearly tradition for so many of you and your families since they began nearly 40 years ago. As we look back on that long history, we’re ever more aware of the privilege it is to be welcomed into your beautiful communities and we look forward to seeing you at a performance in your neighborhood soon. Thank you and enjoy the concert!
David Fisk President & CEO
CONTENTS Swing into Summer.......................4 Hooray for Hollywood!.................5 From Bohème to Broadway..........6 Conductor Bios...............................8 Musicians..........................................10 Frequently Asked Questions.......12 3
SWING INTO SUMMER Sunday, June 12, 2022
8:15 pm | Symphony Park at SouthPark Christopher James Lees, conductor
BILL HOLCOMBE
International Dixieland Jamboree
GEORGE GERSHWIN
I Got Rhythm
arr. Charles Sayre
COLE PORTER Begin the Beguine arr. Carmen Dragon
JOHN KANDER Highlights from Chicago arr. Ted Ricketts HAROLD ARLEN Somewhere Over the Rainbow arr. Charles Sayre (from The Wizard of Oz) MEDLEY
A Salute to the Big Band
arr. Calvin Custer
DUKE ELLINGTON
A Medley for Orchestra
arr. Calvin Custer
IRVING BERLIN
A Tribute to Irving Berlin
arr. Bruce Healey
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CSO Summer Pops is presented by
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD! Sunday, June 19, 2022
8:15 pm | Symphony Park at SouthPark Christopher James Lees, conductor EARL MAYS
Salute to the Cinema
ALAN SILVESTRI Back to the Future Suite for Orchestra KLAUS BADELT Pirates of the Caribbean arr. Rickets
LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Overture to West Side Story
arr. Peress
ALAN MENKEN Beauty and the Beast Overture arr. Besterman/Kosarin
KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ Music from Frozen arr. Krogstad
JOHN WILLIAMS
With Malice Toward None (from Lincoln)
JOHN WILLIAMS Raider's March JOHN WILLIAMS Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone Suite Harry's Wondrous World
CSO Summer Pops is presented by
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From BOHÈME
to BROADWAY Sunday, June 26, 2022
8:15 pm | Symphony Park at SouthPark James Meena, conductor WAGNER Lohengrin: Introduction to Act III PUCCINI La bohème: Musetta’s Waltz Katherine Kuckleman, soprano
GIORDANO
Fedora: Amor ti vieta Elliott Brown, tenor
BIZET Carmen: Habanera Jennifer Wiggins, mezzo-soprano
VERDI Rigoletto: La donna è mobile Johnathan White, tenor
MOZART
The Marriage of Figaro: Sull’ aria Melinda Whittington, soprano Lauren Russell, soprano
PUCCINI
La bohème: Che gelida manina Jonathan Kaufman, tenor
PUCCINI
La Rondine: Chi il bel Sogno Jersey Roche, soprano
(program continues next page)
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CSO Summer Pops is presented by
SOROZÁBAL La Tabernera del Puerto: No puede ser Johnathan White, tenor
PUCCINI
Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro Julia Woodward, soprano
ROSSINI
The Barber of Seville: La calunnia Ramelle Brooks, bass
LLOYD WEBBER
The Phantom of the Opera: All I Ask of You Julia Woodward, soprano Harrison Bumgarner, tenor
DVORÁK Rusalka: Song to the Moon Melinda Whittington, soprano
BIZET The Pearl Fishers: Au fond du temple saint Michael Owens, tenor Kendrick Williams, baritone
BERNSTEIN
West Side Story: Maria Dominic Armstrong, tenor
PUCCINI
Turandot: Nessun dorma! The Tenors
SOLOISTS Dominic Armstrong, tenor • Ramelle Brooks, bass Elliott Brown, tenor • Harrison Bumgarner, tenor • Jonathan Kaufman, tenor John Kim, tenor • Katherine Kuckleman, soprano • Michael Owens , tenor Jersey Roche, soprano • Lauren Russell, soprano • Amanda Sesler, soprano • Johnathan White, tenor • Melinda Whittington, soprano Jennifer Wiggins, mezzo-soprano • Kendrick Williams, baritone Julia Woodward, soprano
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CONDUCTOR Christopher James Lees resident conductor Christopher James Lees was named Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony in 2018.
Emerging American conductor Christopher James Lees brings passionate and nuanced orchestral performances to the stage, a fierce commitment to contemporary music, and a natural charisma to audiences all around the world. In 2018, Mr. Lees began an appointment as Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to the more than 50 annual concert appearances with the CSO, he has stepped in to conduct Subscription Classical performances on four occasions, including a gala weekend with Grammy Award winning artist and Jazz legend Branford Marsalis in May 2021. An active guest conductor, Mr. Lees has returned for performances with the Los Angeles and Rochester Philharmonics, the Houston, Detroit, Milwaukee, North Carolina, Portland, and Flint Symphonies, and conducted debuts with the Indianapolis, Kansas City, Toledo, and Vermont Symphonies. Additional engagements have taken him to the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Orchestra de Chambre de Paris, Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and at the Music in the Mountains Festival & Festival Internacional de Inverno de Campos do Jordão in Brazil.
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Only the second American Gustavo Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mr. Lees made his debut with the orchestra in April 2013 and returned for concerts in February 2015. A dedicated advocate for music of our time, Mr. Lees has premiered more than one hundred fifty new works by a diverse range of composers, and collaborated closely with Pulitzer Prize winners John Adams, William Bolcom, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Joseph Schwantner, Steven Stucky, Caroline Shaw, Roger Reynolds, and Julia Wolfe. An equally passionate advocate for music education, Mr. Lees has brought inspirational energy to student orchestras across the country, from the Colburn School to the New England Conservatory, and previously served on the faculties of the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
GUEST ARTIST James Meena guest conductor This performance marks James Meena’s first appearance at the Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops.
James Meena consistently earns critical acclaim for his artistic vision and dynamic presence on the podium in concert, opera and ballet. Mo. Meena serves as Artistic Director for Opera Carolina and Artistic Director for Opera Grand Rapids. This season, he led Opera Carolina’s productions of I Dream, Don Giovanni, The Falling and Rising, and Aida. He also returned to Opera Grand Rapids for productions of Don Giovanni and Turandot. Recent engagements include acclaimed performances of Tosca at the Luglio Festivale Trapani in Sicilia, a doublebill of Rachmaninoff’s rarely-performed Aleko paired with Pagliacci as well as La fanciulla del West, both with the restored New York City Opera; Le nozze di Figaro for Teatro Sociale Rovigo Italy, La fanciulla del West for five prestigious Italian theaters: Teatro del Giglio, Lucca Italy, Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Teatro Alighieri di Ravenna, Teatro Pavarotti di Modena and Teatro Goldoni di Livorno, plus Rigoletto, The Magic Flute, Carmen and Yvgeny Onegin with Opera Carolina, Toledo Opera, and Opera Grand Rapids, plus a Gala concert with Renee Fleming and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra; Porgy & Bess with Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre in Budapest for their Summer Festival, and La bohème with the prestigious Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago, La bohème with Opéra de Montréal, Masterworks Concerts with
Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and Il barbiere di Siviglia , La fanciulla del West, and La traviata with Opera Carolina. A guest conductor, Maestro Meena has lead performances in opera houses throughout North America, including Madama Butterfly, Pagliacci/ Gianni Schicchi, Le nozze di Figaro, and La traviata for L’Opera de Montreal; Michigan Opera Theatre for Die Zauberflöte; Edmonton Opera for Falstaff, Otello, Macbeth, and Yvgeny Onegin; and Manitoba Opera, where he conducted the première of Transit of Venus by the Canadian team of composer Victor Davies and librettist Maureen Hunter, recorded for national broadcast on the CBC. His Opera Carolina performances of Faust, Eugene Onegin, and Il trovatore are captured on recording for NPR World of Opera.
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MUSICIANS
YOUR CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY Christopher Warren-Green, Music Director Christopher James Lees, Resident Conductor FIRST VIOLINS Calin Ovidiu Lupanu
Concertmaster The Catherine & Wilton Connor Chair
Joseph Meyer
Associate Concertmaster
Kari Giles
Assistant Concertmaster
Ernest Pereira° Susan Blumberg°° Jane Hart Brendle Emily Chatham°° Lenora Leggatt† Ellyn Stuart Jenny Topilow°° Angela Watson† Dustin Wilkes-Kim SECOND VIOLINS Oliver Kot Principal The Wolfgang Roth Chair
Kathleen Jarrell
Assistant Principal The Pepsi-Cola Foundation of Charlotte Chair
Carlos Tarazona° Sakira Harley° Monica Boboc Tatiana Karpova Martha Geissler Alice Silva†
VIOLAS Benjamin Geller
FLUTES Victor Wang
Alaina Rea
Amy Orsinger Whitehead Erinn Frechette
Principal The Zoe Bunten Merrill Principal Viola Chair Assistant Principal
Ellen Ferdon Cynthia Frank Nancy Marsh Levine Viara Stefanova Ning Zhao CELLOS Alan Black
Principal The Kate Whitner McKay Principal Cello Chair
Jonathan Lewis
Assistant Principal
Marlene Ballena Drew Dansby† Jeremy Lamb Sarah Markle Denielle Wilson† DOUBLE BASSES Kurt Riecken
Principal The Blumenthal Foundation Chair
PICCOLO Erinn Frechette OBOES Hollis Ulaky
Principal The Leo B. Driehuys Chair‡
Erica Cice Terry Maskin ENGLISH HORN Terry Maskin CLARINETS Taylor Marino
Principal The Gary H. & Carolyn M. Bechtel Chair
Samuel Sparrow Allan Rosenfeld
Judson Baines
E♭ CLARINET Samuel Sparrow
Jeffrey Ferdon Jason McNeel
BASS CLARINET Allan Rosenfeld
Principal
Assistant Principal
This roster lists the full-time members of the Charlotte Symphony. The number and seating of musicians onstage varies depending on the piece being performed.
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The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is a proud member of the League of American Ochestras.
MUSICIANS BASSOONS Olivia Oh* Principal
Joshua Hood
Acting Principal
Margaret O'Leary† Naho Zhu† CONTRABASSOON Naho Zhu† HORNS Byron Johns
Principal The Mr. & Mrs. William H. Van Every Chair
Andrew Fierova Robert Rydel Richard Goldfaden Philip Brindise†
TRUMPETS Alex Wilborn
Principal The Betty J. Livingstone Chair
Jonathan Kaplan Gabriel Slesinger
Associate Principal The Marcus T. Hickman Chair
TROMBONES John Bartlett Principal
Thomas Burge BASS TROMBONE Scott Hartman Principal
TUBA Derek Fenstermacher†
Acting Principal The Governor James G. Martin Chair
TIMPANI Jacob Lipham
Principal The Robert Haywood Morrison Chair
PERCUSSION Brice Burton Principal
HARP Andrea Mumm Trammell Principal The Dr. Billy Graham Chair
° Non-revolving position °° Alternates between first and second violins † Acting member of the Charlotte Symphony ‡ Funded by The Symphony Guild of Charlotte, Inc. * On leave
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MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT
Kari Giles Assistant Concertmaster For more information about Charlotte Symphony musicians, visit
charlottesymphony.org
Kari Giles grew up in Western North Carolina and began studying Suzuki violin at the age of five. She holds performance degrees from the NC School of the Arts and San Francisco Conservatory. After serving as a substitute musician for the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Ms. Giles moved to Charlotte in 2006 to become the Assistant Concertmaster of the Charlotte Symphony. A passionate chamber musician, Ms. Giles is a founding member of the Madison Park String Quartet, and rEvolution Strings and performs with the Charlotte Strings Collective, a group that aims to highlight the works of Black composers. She enjoys curating programs that feature local composers, diverse styles, and collaborations with other art forms. Ms. Giles also serves as a board member of The Possibility Project Charlotte, an organization dedicated to developing generations of engaged community leaders using the vehicles of performing arts and community action.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions Before you head to Symphony Park for a Summer Pops performance, check out our most frequently asked questions regarding ticketing, parking, and more.
TICKETS & ADMISSION Why is seating different this year? During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSO performed Evenings at the Park at Symphony Park. Because of the guidelines in North Carolina at the time, seating had to be distanced and properly spaced. We found that the pod seating was a safer and more convenient alternative for our patrons, and will continue that method this season at Summer Pops, with more pods added to the lawn. Are prices the same on the day of the show? All sales are in advance of the performance(s). Tickets will not be available for purchase at Symphony Park. Do I need a ticket for my child? Yes. Children 2 and over count as a number to make up your 4-person or 6-person pod. Can I purchase tickets at the gate/day of show? No, all sales are in advance of the performance(s) due to the limited number of pods on the lawn. What is the policy regarding inclement weather and ticket refunds? The Charlotte Symphony performs rain or shine and we cancel only in the case of severe weather. If the concert is canceled due to severe weather, ticket holders will be issued a rain voucher good for a future Symphony concert. All sales are final; no refunds. Follow the Charlotte Symphony on Facebook or Twitter (@CLTsymphony) for live weather updates from Symphony Park.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO What time do the gates open? Gates open two hours before the performance. Where can I park? Parking is available in the Southpark Mall parking lots. Those with mobility concerns may park in the Mall designated handicapped parking spaces with a handicapped sticker/tag on the vehicle. We recommend arriving early, as there are a limited number of handicapped parking spaces. There is a drop-off area close to the entrance gate. Will I be able to reserve a seat or place a blanket in the park earlier in the day? No. This season, Summer Pops tickets will be sold as seated pods. When you arrive to Symphony Park, your designated area will be marked on the lawn. Any special seating needs should be communicated to CSO Patron Services in advance at ticketoffice@charlottesymphony.org. What do I do if I need assistance getting on the grounds? Those with mobility concerns may park in Mall designated handicapped parking spaces with a handicapped sticker/tag on the vehicle. You’ll want to arrive very early, as there are a limited number of handicapped parking spaces. There is a drop-off area close to the main ticket tent and entrance gates.
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FAQ What should I bring? We recommend bringing either a picnic blanket or a low-back lawn chair. Many patrons bring food and drinks to enjoy for the evening. In the vicinity: Southpark Mall and Reid’s Fine Foods close at 7 p.m. on Sundays. We also find that sunscreen and bug spray are helpful to pack in your bag. What type of lawn chairs are allowed? We recommend blankets or low-back chairs. Please be considerate of other patrons’ sight lines as we cannot enforce in-park seating. Are umbrellas allowed? Tents? Umbrellas are allowed. However, once the program begins, all shade umbrellas will need to be taken down so as not to obstruct the view of other patrons. No tents are allowed. Can I bring a grill to the concert? No, grills are not permitted on the grounds. Can I bring fireworks? No. Fireworks, sparklers, or other flammable devices are not allowed at the park.
AT SYMPHONY PARK Can I bring food and beverage into the park? Yes, food and beverage (including beer and wine) are permitted. Glass containers are also allowed. Are pets permitted in the park? No. For the safety and comfort of others, pets are not permitted. Only service animals are allowed. How long are the concerts? Summer Pops concerts are typically just under two hours, with no intermission. Pre-concert Prelude acts begin at 7 pm. Charlotte Symphony performances begin at 8:15 pm. Are there public restrooms? Yes, portable restroom facilities will be available in the upper parking lot. Is smoking/vaping permitted in the park? No. Smoking and vaping are only permitted outside of the fence surrounding the park. What if I lose something or leave something behind at the park? Contact SouthPark Mall Guest Services at 704.295.0975 to inquire about lost items.
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ONE N IGHT ONLY !
June 25
| Ovens Auditorium
With stunning imagery, ground-breaking special effects — and John Williams’s iconic score — Spielberg’s epic tale of man vs. nature is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making.
704.972.2000 | charlottesymphony.org
