CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Maestro William Intriligator and the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra will take a musical trip to the “Sun, Moon and Stars!” at 7:30 p.m. April 13.
The orchestra’s 2023–24 Masterpiece Concert Series Finale will feature works from Wagner, Britten and Nielson as well as the orchestral premiere of composer Derek Jenkins’s “We Seven.” Award-winning soprano Aundi Marie Moore is the featured soloist on Puccini’s “Un bel di” from Madama Butterfly and Dvořák’s “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka, an orchestra news release states.
The concert will begin with a powerful overture by Richard Wagner, from his opera “The Flying Dutchman.”
Intriligator describes the overture as “one of those exciting, Wagner orchestral showpieces that really highlights the strength and beauty of a large symphony orchestra. The legend of The Flying Dutchman, a flying ghost ship, is very intriguing and compelling.”
The orchestra will also present the world premiere of the orchestral version of “We Seven” by American composer Derek Jenkins. The title of this work comes from a book of the same name written by the United States’ first astronauts.
“The piece uses musical cryptograms to encode the seven astronauts’ names and initials into pitches. It also quotes the aria ‘Un bel dì’ from Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly,” Intriligator said.
“The inclusion of the Puccini aria comes directly from one of John Glenn’s chapters in the book. Together with a couple of the other astronauts, he would often listen to the opera to unwind from a long day of training. I would like to think that as he was orbiting the Earth this opera, particularly this aria, would be running through his mind,” Jenkins said.
For the next piece, Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra welcomes acclaimed classical soprano Aundi Marie Moore, celebrated for her vocal talents and stage presence. Moore’s voice is a transcendent force, effortlessly navigating the intricate terrain of classical and contemporary repertoire, the release said. She will perform the same Puccini aria “Un bel di,” as well as the “Song to the Moon” from Dvořák’s opera Rusalka.
“Aundi Marie Moore has already distinguished herself as one of the most talented young opera singers in the country, and I can’t wait to work with her! Her voice is amazing,” Intriligator said.
The second half of the concert continues the space theme with “Helios Overture” by Carl Nielsen, which Intriligator describes as “a musical tribute to the sun with a musical sunrise and sunset.”
The concert will conclude with the Four Sea Interludes from Benjamin Britten’s opera “Peter Grimes.”
“An incredible orchestra showpiece; culminating in a thrilling, exciting musical storm. It also includes a movement depicting moonlight reflecting on the ocean, so it has a nice connection to our season theme. This will be a sensational ending to our 2023/24 Season Masterpiece Series, and you won’t want to miss it,” Intriligator said.
The orchestra will host a free “Lunch and Learn” at noon April 12 at the Laramie County Public Library. A video on demand will be on Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra’s website.
“Classic Conversations,” an abbreviated introduction to the concert by the maestro, will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 13 at the Civic Center for ticketed patrons. The concert will also be livestreamed for $25 per household for those who are unable to attend in person.
Tickets are on sale now for $11.50 to $53. Visit cheyennesymphony.org for more information.
