Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Presents VERDI: VIVA L'ITALIA, 5/7

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra presents Verdi: Viva L'Italia, the final main stage concert of the year, on Sunday, May 7th at 4:00pm at the Hill Auditorium. Joining the orchestra for a riveting rendition of Verdi's opera choruses are special guests, Measure for Measure, Livingston County Women's Chorus, Livingston County Chorale, and the Carillon Women's Chorale.

Conducted by Arie Lipsky, "these Verdi choruses are the heart of Italian opera that we'll all be humming when we leave the concert. Viva L'Italia!" The evening will include Rossini's Semiramide Overture, Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Respighi's Pines of Rome, and Verdi's opera choruses including Triumphal March from Aida, Gypsy and Picadors Chorus from Traviata, Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, and Va, pensiero, Choruses of the Hebrew Slaves, from Nabucco.

Measure for Measure, directed by Steven Lorenz, was founded in 1988 by five University of Michigan Men's Glee Club alumni in an effort to provide an opportunity for men to perform music composed and arranged for male choruses. Under the leadership of the founding conductor, Dr. Leonard L. Riccinto, the group debuted in April 1989 with 19 singers.

The Livingston County Chorale, established in 1991 by Dr. Marilyn S. Jones, Founding Artistic Director Emerita, is one of three ensembles in the Livingston County Chorale Family. The Livingston County Chorale is currently under the leadership of Director Kelli Falls and Assistant Director Brendon Closz, and is accompanied by Kim Kingshott. The LCC is comprised of both men and women, and auditions are open to soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices with previous singing experience. The Livingston County Choral and Women's Chorus regularly perform across Livingston County, and each individual choir has also enjoyed collaborations with such groups as the Ann Arbor Symphony, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (1994, 2005), Measure for Measure (2004, 2008), U of M Women's Glee Club (2002), the Carillon Women's Chorale (2010), and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra (2009, 2012).

The Livingston County Women's Chorus began in 1998, and is currently directed by Karen Roberts. The Chorus strives to perform a variety of musical genres such as classical (both sacred and secular), folk, jazz, and Broadway show tunes. The group performs regularly in the county, often in concert with the Chorale and the Youth (formerly Children's) Choir. The Women's Chorus has also had opportunities to collaborate with other marvelous musical groups such as the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Measure for Measure, the University of Michigan Women's Glee Club, and Carillon Women's Chorale.

The Carillon Women's Chorale was originally founded by Karen Nevins in 2001 to feature music composed for the young female musicians of the 18th century Venetian Ospedali in Karen's EMU master recital. By their request to continue, Carillon now celebrates 15 years of song. Carillon is comprised of women from all walks of life to include amateur and professional singers/ teachers with a passion for singing. With more recent numbers reaching nearly 30 singers, Carillon women have toured throughout Michigan. They toured to perform in Australia's Sydney Opera House, in New York's Lincoln Center and will tour to Carnegie Hall (NYC) in April, 2017.

Join your Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for an exciting season finale at the Hill Auditorium on Sunday, May 7th at 4:00pm. Tickets are available online at a2so.com, by emailing tickets@a2so.com, or by calling (734) 994-4801. Single tickets range from $15 to $62, Student, Senior, and Group discounts are available.