Houston Symphony to Perform CARMINA BURANA Concert This Weekend

The Houston Symphony, together with the Colombian Youth Philharmonic, Houston Symphony Chorus and Houston Children's Chorus, will perform Carl Orff's dramatic work Carmina Burana at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18.

Led by Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada, the program will begin with Prokofiev's four-movement, orchestral Scythian Suite. Originally intended to be the score of the ballet Ala and Lolly, the intriguing work was eventually reworked for concert performances.

After intermission, the extended stage at Jones Hall will allow more than 300 performers to fill the stage for the force of musicality that is Carmina Burana. The work, based on 24 poems and texts from medieval times, has become a staple in the classical music repertoire. It's opening and closing melody, "O Fortuna," has been used in many films and TV commercials. Carmina Burana soloists will be soprano Lisette Oropesa, tenor Randall Bills and baritone Elliot Madore, all of whom have impressive international singing careers. They will join the Houston Symphony Chorus, Houston Children's Chorus and 37 additional high school and collegiate vocalists from across Houston in contributing vocal strength and talent to the performance.

Founded and directed by Stephen Roddy, the Houston Children's Chorus aims to educate and teach high-level artistry through vocal performance to children in grades 2-8. Approximately 200 children participate in the chorus activities each week.

The concert will be the culmination of the educational partnership between the Houston Symphony and the Colombian Youth Philharmonic. In June of this year, fourteen Symphony musicians traveled to Colombia to mentor the young musicians of the Youth Philharmonic, who in turn have traveled to Houston for a 10-day residency this month, performing chamber concerts at the University of Houston, for senior citizens at the Ripley House and at the Houston Symphony's free Day of Music. Check out this video to learn more about the cultural exchange. For more information, visit houstonsymphony.org/ColombianYouthPhil.