Program - Too Hot To Handel

HOLIDAY • 2017/18 Colorado Symphony 2017/18 Season Presenting Sponsor:

TOO HOT TO HANDEL

Co-arranged by Bob Christianson & Gary Anderson.

Original concept by Marin Alsop.

COLORADO SYMPHONY CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, conductor CYNTHIA RENEÉ SAFFRON, soprano VANEESE THOMAS, mezzo LAWRENCE CLAYTON, tenor TOO HOT TO HANDEL COMMUNITY CHORUS, MARY LOUISE BURKE, director TRAVIS BRANAM, assistant director This weekend's performances are gratefully dedicated to Arrow Electronics, Inc. Friday, December 22, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 23, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.

Boettcher Concert Hall PART 1

PART 2

Sinfonia Comfort ye, my people Ev’ry valley shall be exalted And the glory of the Lord Thus saith the Lord But who may abide And he shall purify Behold, a virgin shall conceive O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion For unto us a child is born There were shepherds abiding in the field And suddenly there was with the angel Glory to God

Rejoice greatly Then shall the eyes of the blind be open’d He shall feed his flock Surely, he hath borne our griefs All we like sheep, have gone astray He trusted in God The trumpet shall sound Why do the nations so furiously rage?

Hallelujah

— INTERMISSION —

SOUNDINGS

2 0 1 7/ 1 8

PROGRAM 1

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, conductor Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is in his third season as the Associate Conductor of the Colorado Symphony and continues his position as Principal Guest Conductor with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. For three years, Christopher previously held the position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to work closely with Principal Conductor Asher Fisch. Christopher works regularly in Australia and has conducted the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.

His 2015 debut performance at the Sydney Opera House with Josh Pyke and the Sydney Symphony has been released on CD by ABC Music. In 2017, Christopher returns to the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for a subscription concert. In 2016, he made his Brazilian conducting debut with the Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre. He has also conducted at numerous festivals including the Breckenridge and Bangalow Music Festivals, both resulting with invitations to return. At the beginning of 2016, Christopher conducted Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony as part of the Perth International Arts Festival alongside Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra. In 2014, Christopher was selected from 100 international applicants to conduct the Princess Galyani Vadhana Youth Orchestra in Thailand and earlier that year participated in the Jarvi Winter Academy in Estonia where he was awarded the Orchestra’s Favourite Conductor Prize. Christopher began his conducting studies in 2011 and was a member of the prestigious Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program under the guidance of course director Christopher Seaman. He has also studied with numerous distinguished conductors including Leonid Grin, Paavo and Neeme Jarvi at the Jarvi Summer Festival, Fabio Luisi at the Pacific Music Festival, and conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.

CYNTHIA RENEÉ SAFFRON, soprano Cynthia Reneé Saffron has used her vocal talents to entertain audiences around the world. Those audiences include Japan, Bermuda, Paris, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, United States, and more. Her journeys have also opened doors for performances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Czech Symphony Orchestra, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Soulful Symphony, and the United States Air Force Band. Having a deep passion for the arts have led to roles in theater which include Blues in the Night, Into the Woods, and Night of January sixteenth. Ms. Saffron has joyously worked behind the scenes in Maryland as Music Director. Those productions include Dreamgirls, Beehive, and Little Shop of Horrors. She additionally served as Vocal Arranger and Music Director for the production Before Sunrise.

Cynthia’s vocals can be heard in a variety of recordings: Wynton Marsalis’, All Rise, Morgan State University Choir’s Live in Prague, GIA Publishing Use Me, May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me, and Soulful Symphony’s Song in a Strange Land. She holds a B.A. in Piano Performance and a M.A. in Vocal Performance from the prestigious Morgan State University.

PROGRAM 2

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES VANEESE THOMAS, mezzo Born in Memphis, Vaneese is the daughter of Rufus Thomas, whose legendary career as a musician and entertainer spanned more than half a century in rhythm-and-blues recording and radio. Embracing this remarkable musical legacy, Vaneese carries forward the rich heritage of Memphis soul and R&B. She has combined all the influences of her background and experience to cultivate a soul-stirring style that’s all her own. Vaneese’s talents as a singer, songwriter, producer, and actor have made her a sought-after soloist as well as first-call vocalist for projects by other top artists, including Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, and others. Vaneese’s vocal career has taken her to concerts and festivals around the world. She has sung with the Baltimore and Colorado Symphonies in Too Hot to Handel under the baton of Marin Alsop and at the Pavarotti & Friends concerts; Montreux Jazz Festival; Michael Jackson & Friends concerts; and soul music festivals in Porretta, Narni, and Perugia, Italy. Geffen Records released Vaneese’s first major recording in 1987. The self-titled album included the Top Ten R&B hit “Let’s Talk it Over.” Vaneese’s current release, Blues For My Father, has taken the Blues world by storm! Ranking #7 in the U.S. for 2014 and garnering two BMA award nominations for 2014. In addition to concerts and recordings, Vaneese has worked extensively in film and television. She was the voice of Grace the Bass on the PBS series Shining Time Station and Clio the Muse, Goddess of History, in Disney’s Hercules. She has sung on film soundtracks including Anastasia, Mighty Aphrodite, and The First Wives Club. TV appearances include The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and NBC’s Today.

Vaneese lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and producing partner Wayne Warnecke. Her songs are available on iTunes and Amazon and at select retail stores.

LAWRENCE CLAYTON, tenor Lawrence Clayton most recently appeared in the Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winning revival of The Color Purple, directed by John Doyle. Other Broadway appearances include Bells Are Ringing; It Ain’t Nothin but the Blues, The Civil War, Once upon a Mattress, High Rollers Social Pleasure Club, and Dreamgirls. Off Broadway includes Crowns at Second Stage, Saturn Returns, and Romance in Hard Times at The Public Theater, and as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. He also has starred as Jean Valjean in the 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables. He has also appeared as the Tenor in Too Hot to Handel with the Baltimore and Colorado Symphonies under the direction of Marin Alsop. He also starred as Montel/Jesus in the New York Premier of Jerry Springer the Opera at Carnegie Hall with Harvey Keitel and reprised the role at the Sydney Opera House. On the small screen Lawrence has appeared in episodes of Law and Order, SVU, Homeland, The Good Wife, The Big C, All My Children, Another World, As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Deadline, Law and Order: CI, and the made for TV movie Mary and Rhoda. He can also be seen in the upcoming film Mike, Mike Tan. He lent his voice to the Rankin-Bass animated Christmas special Santa Baby starring Vanessa Williams, Gregory Hines, and Eartha Kitt. Recordings include the Grammy Award winning cast album of The Color Purple as well as Broadway cast albums of Bells Are Ringing, Once upon a Mattress, and Adam Guettel’s Myths and Hymns.

SOUNDINGS

2 0 1 7/ 1 8

PROGRAM 3

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES MARY LOUISE BURKE, director, Too Hot to Handel Community Chorus Mary Louise Burke is in her 24th season as Associate Director of the Colorado Symphony Chorus. In addition to assisting Chorus Director Duain Wolfe, she also prepares the chorus for various Symphony Pops concerts with the Colorado Symphony and special chorus projects. Burke is also Associate Director of the Colorado Children’s Chorale, conducting the Concert Choir and acting as vocal coach for the Chorale. With an expertise in vocal technique, Burke frequently does seminars in vocal and choral techniques for area church and community choirs. She is the Vocal Advisor at Montview Presbyterian Church and has taught classes in “Find Your Authentic Voice” at the University of Denver. She has a Doctorate in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado.

S TAY

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PROGRAM 4

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES TOO HOT TO HANDEL COMMUNITY CHORUS Mary Louise Burke, director Travis Branam, assistant director Brian Dukeshier, Danni Snyder, pianists Eric Israelson, Barbara Porter, chorus managers SOPRANO I Maureen Allen Tanya Apel Lori Ascani Carol Baker Cym Bauman Carolyn Benoit Reva Benson Helen Berkman Casey Blaine Georgia Blum Lindsey Campbell Aimee Charlton Kay Christie Susan Conner Lou Dafoe Noel Dickson Sarah Dirksen Kim Do Elizabeth Dries Gayle Duggan Evette Eldridge Martha Fiser Kathy Frebel Eileen Gardner Brenda Gleason Kristi Gleason Brooke Grenemyer Emily Haack Brenda Hardwick Patricia Hartman Mary Helms Barbara Hessel Retha Hickman Sally Hirsch Erin Hittle Sue Hubert Nonnie Hunziker Ann-Marie Jackson Kimberly Jans Alma Jerome Janice Jones Alaxandra Josephs Gigi Kaiser Carrie Lamitie Elizabeth Laskarzewski Nancy Lauth Neysa Lettin Judy Liddy Vivian Leinio Jennifer Lim Lisa Long Karen Lussier Pamela Luwish

Amy Marcussen Annie McClure Ann Meyers Jackie Michalski Erin Montigne Catherine Murphy Micki Nelson Christine Nyholm Kelly O’Leary Kim Pflug Lori Plucker Kathy Poirier Barbara Porter AnneMarie Roberts Deborah Stanley Mary Strizek Melissa Sussman Jackie TeKrony Tiffany Treiber Carlie Tronel Leslie Ufford Deborah Viles Sue Von Roedern Donna Watkins Crystal Wilcox Sandy Woodrow Stacy Worthington Joan Zisler ALTO Lora Adams Gloria Angus Barbara Behl Sara Blake Debbie Blydenburg Lisa Boyum Gail Brannan Vira Brock Beth Brown Leigh-Anne Brown Susan Burnett Joan Carlson Lindy Casados Martha Cox Bobbi Cress Deborah Davies Debbie DeShaser Ashlie Dickerson Amy Evancheck Donna Frederickson Cindy Gardner Marcia Ginley Linda Habernal Deborah Herold

Janet Holdsworth Ruth Hund Jennifer Ford Keel Emily Kolm Chrissy Kovach Karen Littlefield Esther Macalady Joanna Maltzahn Sharon Mann Karla Mason LaTonya McPherson Andrea Morgan Kristen Nordenholz Connie Oehring Vicki Olson Gretchen Ordelheide Jenaya Perdue Virginia Phillips Melody Pickett Jen Pringle Patti Quarles Ruthie Rayner Rhonda Renaud Ellie Roberts Liz Rodriguez Kathi Rudolph Carol Russell Deborah Sampson Nancy Shock Alexandria Sietz Elaine Sohrweid Marilyn Swett Karen Tanner-Smith Linda TeKrony Mary Thayer Peg Thompson Roxanne Thompson Mariza Vazquez Nikki Vitkus Akal Wieting Kate Williams Marcia Williams Ruthie Williams Pamala Wolta Linda Wooten Lynne Yancey TENOR Ria Barrows Rich Bauman Nancy Bierman Russell Bowe Rod Casados Jodell Chiles

SOUNDINGS

John Colvin Dusty Davies Don Davis Bill Goodwin Jacob Herold Galen Hockett Tom Kampman David Keller Ken Kolm Lisa Marie Main Bethany Mesko Reinaldo Michelena Ken Peach Sean Renaud James Russell Tammie Singer Eric Smith Daryl Walker Jeffrey Weber Dean Woodward BASS Vinny Alvino Jeff Black Michael Blevins Jim Boschert Nate Bryant Roger Burnett James Esten Bob Friedlander Christoph Goss Chris Grossman Kenneth Guimond Richard Hittle Joel Houwer Eric Israelson Roy Kent Eric Kurtz Andrew Martin Ken Moncrieff Everett Moon Dan Olson Peter Ordelheide Frank Parce David Pierce Tom Potter Ken Quarles Steve Rayner Lenny Shortino Russ Skillings Dave Ufford Brian Underhill Tom Virtue Robert Williams

2 0 1 7/ 1 8

PROGRAM 5

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES TOO HOT TO HANDEL COMMUNITY CHORUS During the previous 17-year run of Too Hot to Handel (1997-2014), we were fortunate to have included members of these many fine Denver area choirs and choruses. For this revival we are pleased to welcome back singers from many of these groups: All Souls Catholic Church Choir Alpine Chorale Arapahoe Community College Chorus Ars Nova Singers Arvada Center Chorale Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral Aster Women’s Chamber Choir Augustana Lutheran Church Bennie C. Williams Spiritual Voices Bethany Lutheran Church Boulder Chorale Brighton Community Chorus Broomfield Chorale Cantabile Singers Canto Spiritus Castle Rock Senior Center Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Chalice Singers - First Unitarian Society, Denver Cherry Creek Chorale Cherry Creek Presbyterian Christ’s Episcopal Church, Castle Rock Christ The King Lutheran Church Church of the Risen Christ Colorado Cameo Club Chorus Colorado Choir Colorado Chorale Colorado Community Church Colorado Luther Chorale Colorado Mormon Chorale Colorado Repertory Singers Colorado Symphony Chorus Colorado Women’s Chorale Columbine Chorale Columbine United Church Cure D’ars Catholic Church Denver First Church Worship Choir Denver Gay Men’s Chorus Denver Pro Chorale Denver Woman’s Chorus Evans Choir Evergreen Chorale Evergreen Lutheran Church First Christian Reformed

PROGRAM 6

First United Methodist Church of Golden Fort Lupton United Methodist Church Generation Bible Church Good Shepherd Episcopal Good Shepherd Lutheran Golden Community Choir Grace Community Church of Westminster Grace Lutheran Church, Boulder Green Mountain United Methodist Church Impromptu Harvey Park Christian High Country Chorus Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden Jubilate! Sacred Singers Kantorei Last Note Singers Mile Hi Church Choir Mt. View Methodist Church Montview Presbyterian Church Musicians of St. Clare Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church Never On Sunday Choir New Hope Baptist Church New Song Church Northland Chorale One World Singers Opera Colorado Chorus Opera Fort Collins Orchard Church Park Hill United Methodist Church Phillips United Methodist Church Regis University Concert Choir Renaissance Singers Resonance Women’s Chorus of Boulder Ringtones Rocky Mountain Chorale Rocky Mountain Praise Choir Sacred Heart of Mary Salem Church of Christ Seicento Baroque Ensemble Seniors 88

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Shorter AME Church Silverado Chorale Simpson United Methodist Church Singers of the Advent Skyline Chorus Smoky Hill United Methodist Church Soar! Youth & Adult Choir Sounds of Our Savior Sounds of the Rockies Southeast Christian Church Spirit of Christ Church St. Andrews Presbyterian, Boulder St. Andrews United Methodist Church St. Augustine Church St. Barnabas Church St. Bernadette’s St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church St. Frances Cabrini St. James Catholic Church St. John’s Cathedral St. Laurence Episcopal St. Luke’s Episcopal St. Martin’s Chamber Choir St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church St. Stephan’s Lutheran Church St. Thomas More Choir St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church The Crossing Church The Spirituals Project The Upper Room Trinity United Methodist Church Victory Christian Fellowship, Greeley VoicesWest Wellshire Presbyterian Church Wheat Ridge Community Chorale Wheat Ridge Congregational Church Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church Wheat Ridge United Church of Christ Wind Crest Chorale Zion Baptist Church

HOLIDAY PROGRAM NOTES Too Hot to Handel George Frideric Handel was on a roll in the spring of 1742, when he premiered his great oratorio: Messiah. It was reported in the Dublin Journal by an anonymous critic that, “On Tuesday last Mr. Handel’s Sacred Grand Oratorio, the Messiah, was performed at the New Musical Hall in Fishamble Street. The Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestik and moving Words, conspired to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear.” Two hundred and sixty-one years later, Handel’s Messiah is one of the most performed and popular choral works appreciated by audiences all over the world. Instantly recognizable is the famous “Hallelujah Chorus,” during which it is customary to stand. It is exactly that sense of excitement that prompted conductor Marin Alsop to suggest giving Handel’s Messiah a new twist. Too Hot to Handel grew from an idea to fruition in the hands of Alsop’s colleagues: Gary Anderson and Bob Christianson, who recreated this gospel and jazz version adaptation of Messiah in 1992. The sensational new appeal of Too Hot to Handel — which premiered in 1993 with Marin Alsop and the Concordia Orchestra — has been met with the same enthusiasm as when the ink was fresh in 1742. Alsop, in collaboration with Christianson and Anderson, envisioned the Messiah in a way that captures a fresh “feel” and thrill, while retaining Handel’s original musical intent. “It’s a great story, but I also think that it requires some kind of audience participation. It becomes an active listening experience when you’re allowed to stand up and clap your hands…” says Alsop. The creative team of Alsop-Christianson-Anderson decided their adaptation would encompass jazz, gospel, rock, and funk to “break the classical sound barrier.” The result is a swinging performance of the traditional oratorio.

—Ella M. Fredrickson

SOUNDINGS

2 0 1 7/ 1 8

PROGRAM 7

We’re pleased to introduce LISTEN/HEAR, casual sessions of live performance threaded with thoughtful talk-throughs to help you understand and truly hear symphonic music. This new series of four concerts throughout the season will take you on a journey through the evolution of symphonic music from its modest beginnings to the powerhouse ensemble you see it as today!

LISTEN/HEAR 102

LISTEN/HEAR 104

Anything But Innocent: The Hard-Core Romantics

Musique Nouveau – The Current Voice

FEB 22 THU 7:30 Christopher Dragon, conductor Austin Fisher, cello

MAY 17 THU 7:30 Edwin Outwater, conductor Basil Vendryes, viola

BEETHOVEN MUSSORGSKY DVOŘÁK WAGNER TCHAIKOVSKY

VIVIAN FUNG Launch!

GABRIELA LENA FRANK “Mestizo Waltz” from Three LatinAmerican Dances for Orchestra OWEN PALLETT Five Women JESSIE MONTGOMERY Starburst for String Orchestra ANDREW NORMAN Drip Blip Sparkle Spin Glint Glide Glow Float Flop Chop Pop Shatter Splash MASON BATES Anthology of Fantastic Zoology

Overture to Egmont, Op. 84 A Night on Bald Mountain Silent Woods Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, “Pathétique:” III. Allegro molto vivace

LISTEN/HEAR 103 The American Voice APR 12 THU 7:30 Brett Mitchell, conductor Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director IVES COPLAND BERNSTEIN GERSHWIN

Variations on “America” Suite from The Tender Land Chichester Psalms for Chorus and Orchestra An American in Paris

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