Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra and the Italian Consulate of Boston Present Va Pensiero: A Symphonic Jazz Exploration of Timeless Italian Arias
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Join us for Va Pensiero: A Symphonic Jazz Exploration of Timeless Italian Arias and enjoy a captivating evening of Italian opera and jazz. This grand premiere will feature an extraordinary collaboration of remarkable talents from jazz, gospel, and classical music. Presented by Marco Pignataro and the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Julius P. Williams, this concert is part of the Festival of Italian Creativity 2024, sponsored by the Italian Consulate of Boston.
The Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra will perform alongside an extraordinary jazz quintet featuring legendary bassist Ron Carter, saxophone virtuoso Joe Lovano, masterful pianist Kenny Werner, versatile drummer Ron Savage, and Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro, the artistic director of Va Pensiero. The Reverence Gospel Choir, directed by Maestro Dennis Montgomery III, will add their powerful voices to this remarkable ensemble. Together, they will present innovative renditions of classic Italian arias, with brand new original arrangements by Andre Sudol, blending orchestral, gospel, and jazz elements. The program will also include the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra’s interpretation of Italian opera classics, breathing new life into these timeless works.
The renowned classical soprano Dana Lynne Varga will be joining us as a very special guest, adding her exceptional voice to this already stunning collaboration.
The phrase va pensiero comes from the famous chorus “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate” (“Go, thought, on golden wings”) in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Nabucco, expressing a longing for freedom and themes of exile and hope. Don’t miss this unique musical experience where tradition meets innovation, bringing together some of the finest musicians and composers in a celebration of Italian creativity and culture.
Jamie Davis Ponce serves as producer of the show and managing director of the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra and Doug Harrison serves as production assistant.