Rhapsody!

A rhapsody for every listener! Join us as BCO explores the many musical faces of Rhapsodies. From the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt to Freddy Mercury’s Bohemian Rhapsody, this evening is sure to please.

Recognized by most through cartoon antics from the likes of Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt is a sure-fire crowd pleaser!

The performance continues as BCO explores international musical treasures and the art of rhapsody with a performance of Mexican composer Manuel Enriquez’s Rapsodia Latinoamericana.

In addition, BCO is pleased to present Matt Harikian in a performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.” 

Bohemian Rhapsody is, by all means, one of the most artistically elaborate songs of the past four decades, seamlessly integrating elements of opera, ballads and hard rock. Made famous by the vocals of Freddy Mercury in 1975, this orchestral arrangement uses the voices of the viola and the trumpet to convey the sadness and the operatic histrionic panache of Freddy Mercury while the orchestra provides a solid structure to the whole rhapsody.

This concert will also feature a special “side-by-side” performance with the Bravo Strings of Montrose. Bravo Strings of Montrose has been a Suzuki-based string instruction program in Montrose Elementary School of Innovation for almost 30 years. With year-round fundraising it enables students, regardless of family income level, to rent and study a string instrument and participate in a variety of musical ensembles. At MESI, one out of every seven students in grades one through five is a string student in the program. The students in Bravo Strings receive three instructional contacts per week: a semi-private lesson; an orchestra rehearsal; and a “Morning Jam” (a casual, fast-paced, before-school “jam” featuring a wide range of non-Suzuki songs).  Bravo Strings is modeled after Venezuela’s “El Sistema” immersion orchestra programs, Japan’s nurturing “Suzuki School” instructional method, and the sociability of old-time jam sessions.