SSO Features Strauss, Lalo, Puccini and Gershwin May 14

SALISBURY, MD---The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra (SSO) concludes the Salisbury University spring music festival “Waltzes, Arias and All That Jazz” with favorites by Strauss, Lalo, Puccini and Gershwin 8 p.m. Saturday, May 14, in Holloway Hall Auditorium. Directed by Lee Knier, the orchestra performs Strauss’s Blue Danube waltzes, Vivaldi’s first movement from Concerto for Two Trumpets, Lalo’s first movement from Symphonie Espagnole, “Un Bel Di” from Puccini’s Madam Butterfly and Gershwin’s “Promenade (Walking the Dog).” Strauss, known as “The King of the Waltz,” came from a family of musicians. His father and brothers all composed in the waltz genre. Johann Strauss, Jr. (or The Younger) achieved the most success at this type of dance music, especially for his Blue Danube waltzes. The aria “Un Bel di Vedremo” occurs in the second act of Madam Butterfly, in which Madam Butterfly sings of expecting her husband’s homecoming. The jazz selection, “Promenade (Walking the Dog)” is featured in the movie Shall We Dance, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It is featured in a scene where Astaire joins Rogers on the promenade deck of an ocean liner while she is walking her dog. Trumpeters Ron Davis and Pat Shaner perform the first movement of Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets. Both are local residents and long-time members of the SSO. Hannah Bienhoff is a soloist for Symphonie Espagnole and Kathryn Flynn for “Un Bel Di.” Kimberly Roemer-Granger guest conducts for “Promenade (Walking the Dog),” an honor she won at Savor the Symphony’s silent auction in February. Sponsored by the Department of Music, tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for children and SU faculty, students and staff. To reserve tickets call 410-543-6228 or visit the SU Bookstore online at www.salisbury.collegestoreonline.com and click “SU Box Office.” Tickets are also available at Peninsula Bank and Bank of Delmarva branch locations.