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Program Notes for New York Philharmonic String Quartet by Philip Carlsen

Notes on the Program Notes written and voiced by Philip Carlsen LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756 – 1791) String Quartet in C major, K. 465 (“Dissonance”) Mozart’s C major quartet, K. 465, is one of six quartets that he dedicated to his friend … Read more

Program Notes for “Requiem for an Electric Chair” by Aimée M. Petrin

Requiem for an Electric Chair

Dear Friends, It was 2018, Worcester, MA and a convening hosted by New England Foundation for the Arts. Presenters and artists from across New England were gathered together to share and learn about future performing arts projects. One of the artists that presented that day, a short excerpt from his solo performance piece, was Toto Kisaku. An internationally … Read more

Program Notes for Step Afrika! by Aimée M. Petrin

Step Afrika

Dear Friends, Thank you for joining us for Ovations’ performance of Step Afrika!  During the worst of the pandemic when gathering together in person was not possible, one of the bright spots was our ongoing engagement with Step Afrika! Originally slated for our 2020-21 season, Step Afrika! is one of the arts leaders taking full advantage … Read more

Program Notes for Sphinx Virtuosi voiced by George Lopez

Sphinx Virtuosi

Notes on the Program Notes Provided by Sphinx Virtuosi – Voiced by George Lopez, Bowdoin College Artist in Residence LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   Xavier Foley (b 1994) Ev’ry Voice This work is an homage and pays tribute to the Black National Anthem. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was … Read more

Program Notes for “Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends” by Sarah Coleman

Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends

Dear Friends, We are so thrilled to be back at Merrill Auditorium with a performance for young audiences! What a great way to return – with the clever, curious, and imaginative characters of Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Iggy Peck based on Andrea Beaty and David Roberts’ books. These stories are playful and poignant. They honor young … Read more

Program Notes for FLIP Fabrique by Aimée M. Petrin

Flip Fabrique: Six

Dear Friends, There was a time when running off to join the circus was a romantic idea entertained by many at some point in their lives. While this notion may seem antiquated today, what isn’t is the enchantment and allure of the circus.  Contemporary circus or nouveau cirque is one of my most favorite art forms. There are so, … Read more

Program Notes for Alexander Malofeev by Mary Hunter

Alexander Malofeev

Notes on the Program By Mary Hunter, A. LeRoy Greason Professor of Music, Emerita at Bowdoin College LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sonata in C Minor, K. 457 Mozart’s C-minor sonata was written in 1784, in Vienna, for the pianist Therese Trattner, … Read more

Program Notes for “CARTOGRAPHY” by Aimée M. Petrin

Cartography

Dear Friends, Every once in a while a project comes along that you know in your heart you must do. That is the case with CARTOGRAPHY. Following its development for several years, it was my great fortune to attend a January 2020 performance at NYC’s famed Broadway venue for young audiences, The New Victory Theater, that took programming … Read more

Program Notes for “RENT” by Aimée M. Petrin

"RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour"

Dear Friends, Who knew a scrappy little play born of the downtown NYC theater scene would become one of our most beloved Broadway plays?  The winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Musical, RENT is one of the longest running musicals of all time, and now, after 25 years, its touring … Read more

Program Notes for Alan Cumming & Ari Shapiro by Aimée M. Petrin

Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro - 'Och and Oy! A Considered Cabaret'

Dear Friends, It was January 1998. I was in NYC for work and had tickets for the revival of Cabaret at Studio 54. My trip coincided with Jennifer Jason Leigh in the role of Sally Bowles and some guy named Alan Cumming as the emcee. Leigh’s “star” appearance, combined with the chance to visit the … Read more