Baroque Orchestra of NJ Plays Spring Concert at Centenary Stage Today

The Baroque Period in classical music produced some of the most profound expressions of joy found in the artistic history of humanity. Known for its musical expression, arousing a range of emotions in its listeners, Critic Sheila Abrams describes the sound of this genre best by stating "Like lights glancing off the facets of a crystal, the notes of Baroque music glitter."

Centenary Stage Company's Music for a Sunday Afternoon series is coming to a close for the season and will be featuring The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey for the series' grand finale. Audiences can enjoy an intimate concert experience today, April 28 at 2 pm in the Little Theater at 400 Jefferson Street on the campus of Centenary College. The orchestra will be lead by Dr. Robert W. Butts with a program that reflects the various directions the orchestra has ventured into - from Baroque selections, to original compositions by Maestro Butts himself, and finishing with some opera selections that will include guest vocalists.

Some of the world's most famous composers will be highlighted in this concert, including selections by Handel, Gabrieli, Puccini, and Verdi. A highlight of the afternoon will be the Bassoon Concerto, featuring the Orchestra's principal bassoonist, Andrew Pecota, and Suite from Tell-Tale Heart, based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story, The Tell-Tale Heart. Abrams gives praise to the variety and program choices that Dr. Butts is known for, "[he] knows how to build a program for maximum enjoyment, and the orchestra has a dazzling array of wonderful musicians, very much in evidence."

Dr. Butts founded the Orchestra in 1996 and began primarily featuring 18th century classical pieces. However, it has expanded its repertoire and now presents selections from all the classical music periods, as well as opera at its annual Summer Music Festival, to be held this year from August 4-11. Dr. Butts has shared his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of music through his work as a conductor, composer, educator, writer, and lecturer. He was the 2011 recipient of the American Prize Citation for Educational Excellence and placed 2nd for the 2012 American Prize for Community Opera Conducting, for his critically acclaimed performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni with The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey.

Tickets for The Baroque Orchestra are $17.50 in advance and $22.50 at the door. The performance is today, April 28th at 2 p.m. at the Little Theatre on 400 Jefferson Street. To purchase tickets or to find more information on other performances in the 2012-2013 season, visit www.centenarystageco.org or call (908) 979-0900.

The Centenary Stage Company is a not-for-profit professional equity theatre, in residence at Centenary College, dedicated to serving as a cultural resource for audiences of the Skylands Region with professional music, theatre and dance events and arts education programs throughout the year.

Pictured: The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. Photo Credit: Anthony Shashaty.

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