• Mabel Pais

“What the New Jersey Symphony has established, bringing music to the Garden State in schools and in six different cities, is a sincere accomplishment. And it’s never been better.” – nj.com

The New Jersey Symphony (NJS) presents two performances of Carl Orff’s spectacular choral masterpiece, ‘Carmina Burana’: Friday, March 1, 2024, at 8 pm and Sunday, March 3 at 3 pm, both at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. 

CARMINA BURANA

Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ pulses with springtime life, the text of this cantata taken from the bawdy writings of medieval monks who had more on their minds than scripture. Meanwhile, Kodály’s Dances of Galánta overflows with Hungarian flavor and memorable tunes, inspired by the folk music of the composer’s childhood. Between these, a work of exquisite musical reflection by Bach, his concerto for oboe d’amore, the duskier cousin of the modern oboe.

‘Carmina Burana’ uses texts, written in Latin, German and old French, from a manuscript found in a Bavarian monastery in 1847 that date back as far as the 11th century.

PROGRAM

Music Director Xian Zhang conducts the program, which features the Symphony alongside renowned vocal soloists: Jana McIntyre, soprano; Barry Banks, tenor; and Hugh Russell, baritone. Frequent collaborators with the New Jersey Symphony, the Montclair State University Chorale, under the direction of Heather J. Buchanan, will sing the choral parts of ‘Carmina Burana,’ including the world-famous opening movement ‘O Fortuna,’ with text drawn from the medieval poem of the same name.

Also on the program, New Jersey Symphony English Horn/Oboe player Andrew Adelson will perform J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Oboe d’amore. Adelson has been a member of the New Jersey Symphony for more than 20 years, is on faculty at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School.

Opening the performances is Kodály’s ‘Dances of Galánta,’ based on Hungarian folk music.

Xian Zhang Conducts ‘Carmina Burana’

New Jersey Symphony Classical

Xian Zhang conductor

Andrew Adelson oboe d’amore

Jana McIntyre soprano

Barry Banks tenor

Hugh Russell baritone

Montclair State University Chorale | Heather J. Buchanan, director

New Jersey Symphony

Newark → Friday, March 1, 2024, 8 pm  New Jersey Performing Arts Center 

Newark → Sunday, March 3, 2024, 3 pm  New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Concert Prelude #1

Friday, March 1, at 7 pm at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark 

Hear an inspiring performance by the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Curtland E. Fields Ensemble.

Concert Prelude #2

Sunday, March 3, at 2 pm at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark 

Hear the students of the El Sistema New Jersey Alliance perform in a special pre-concert performance.

Kodály Dances of Galánta

J.S. Bach Oboe d’Amore Concerto

Orff Carmina Burana

For more information on concerts and tickets: njsymphony.org/events

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TIM BURTON’S ‘BATMAN’ SCREENS AT  NJS FILM CONCERT

By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Symphony (NJS) brings us Tim Burton’s 1989 film (PG-13) on the big screen performing Dan Elfman’s score, live. This happens on March 2 at 8 PM at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

PROGRAM

Saturday, March 2 at 8 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

James Olmstead conductor

New Jersey Symphony

SUGGESTION 

Dress up in your favorite Batman or DC cosplay for this event—but no swooping through the air!

TRIVIA

The Oscar-winning movie…. stars Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Billy Dee Williams and Jack Nicholson as the scene-stealing Joker. Danny Elfman came up with Batman’s theme while on a long flight—ducking into the airplane bathroom multiple times to record himself singing the melody so he wouldn’t forget. The flight attendants were suspicious, but it became one of the most iconic superhero themes of all time.

CREDIT

Batman and all related characters and elements © & ™ DC and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WB SHIELD: © & ™ WBEI. TM & © DC Comics. Batman in Concert is presented in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center

TICKETS

For Tickets to Carmina Burana or Batman in Concert, visit www.njsymphony.org or call 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476)

To subscribe to New Jersey Symphony, visit njsymphony.org/subscribe

The New Jersey Symphony

The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of its organization – all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities.

Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra’s Resident Artistic Catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey.

For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit njsymphony.org

or email information@njsymphony.org.

Connect with NJS:

njsymphony.org

@NJSymphony on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, (formerly known as Twitter) @NewJerseySymphony on YouTube

Email: information@njsymphony.org

 

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)