Gala Opening Concert with Maestro Raymond Leppard

Featuring Raymond Leppard, Artist-in-Residence, University of Indianapolis, and Conductor Laureate, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Joana Genova, violin; Kathleen Hacker, soprano; Mitzi Westra, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Narducci, baritone; University of Indianapolis Festival Orchestra; University Choral Ensembles

Maestro Raymond Leppard celebrates his 25^th season as Artist-in-Residence with music of J.S. Bach, Mozart, Britten, and the premiere of his own recently completed song trilogy, “Love’s Moonlight.” The program opens with Britten’s Sentimental Sarabande from the 1934 Simple Symphony, followed by UIndy’s Joana Genova performing Bach’s E-Major Violin Concerto, BWV 1042. Mitzi Westra and Daniel Narducci will be featured in Mr. Leppard’s new song cycle for solo voices, string orchestra, and choir, set to poetry of Thomas Campion and Walter de la Mare. The evening concludes with the glories of Mozart: selections from the Vespers, K. 339, and the Ave verum corpus, K. 618.

Maestro Raymond Leppard, one of the most respected international conductors of our time, has appeared with practically all the world’s leading orchestras in more than 60 years on the podium. He has conducted more than 170 recordings, earning five Grammy awards, a Grand Prix Mondial du Disque, a Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, and an Edison Prize. Last season, Maestro Leppard celebrated his 90^th birthday at the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center with acclaimed performances of Mozart, Schubert, and Elgar.