SoundMusic, the bold new venture that last summer brought two critically-acclaimed symphonic concerts and one very popular big band production to Harkness Memorial State Park, will present three performances this summer at Mystic Aquarium.
“In this difficult economy, we found it prudent to scale back our productions while still maintaining the vision of returning to large events on Long Island Sound in future seasons,” said SoundMusic Executive Director Ron Murray. “We plan to repay every dollar we owe from our inaugural season in 2009. To do that, we must have a season. We are thrilled to carry out this year’s through a marvelous collaboration with Mystic Aquarium.”
The season includes:
“Swing Dance Under the Stars” Gala Fundraiser, August 1 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Led by C. Calloway Brooks, Cab Calloway's grandson, the Cab Calloway Orchestra presents a colorful, rousing show reflecting the heyday of the Swing Era. It's both a show band and great dance band. General admission tickets cost $35, and VIP tickets cost $75. VIP tickets include valet parking, preferred seating and complimentary drinks and hors d’ oeuvres in the Maestro Tent.
“Ecstasy, Elegance, Elegy, Elvis,” August 13 and 14 from 8 to 10 p.m.
SoundMusic’s Music Director and Maestro Martin Piecuch will conduct members of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring internationally-renowned classical harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio performing "Three American Sketches" by George Martin (the "fifth Beatle") and a suite of Elvis Presley hits called "Elvis Lives". Maestro Piecuch will also conduct "Serenade" by Josef Suk and "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber, and will be soloist and conductor for Glazunov's Concerto for Saxophone & String Orchestra.General admission tickets cost $40, and VIP tickets cost $100.
Each evening will also include a performance by the Maestro of Glazunov’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone.
All three performances will occur outdoors. Rather than being flanked by Long Island Sound, concert-goers will sit within view of the aquarium’s outdoor “Arctic Coast” exhibit, home to beluga whales.
“We are happy to be the presenting sponsor of SoundMusic this season, providing a bridge to what we hope will be a long and successful future for this cultural treasure,” said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation. “This collaboration is mutually beneficial. We hope to bring SoundMusic new audiences for futures seasons, as well as show music aficionados the beauty of our aquarium and encourage them to visit.”
For information or to purchase tickets, visit the calendar section of mysticaquarium.org or call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520. All ticket proceeds will benefit SoundMusic. Drinks and light fare created by Ocean Blue Catering, Mystic Aquarium’s exclusive on-site caterer, will be available for purchase at each performance.
For additional information on the performances, contact Ron Murray, executive director of SoundMusic, at (860) 303-6126.
