Contact: Stephanie Roose
Phone: (734) 994-4801
Email: stephanie@a2so.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANN ARBOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS:
Beethoven’s Ode to Joy… A Red Carpet Affair
On Saturday, September 15 at 8:00 p.m. at Hill Auditorium, the red carpet is rolled out to
open the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s 2012-2013 season. An all-Beethoven concert will
join the dynamic Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, four outstanding vocal soloists and four of
Southeastern Michigan’s top choruses to create a joyous beginning to the music season.
The program features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, the Contradances for Orchestra,
and Ah, Perfido! for soprano and orchestra.
“Beethoven was a master composer and this concert highlights three of his all-time gems,” stated
Conductor and Music Director Arie Lipsky. “His Symphony No. 9 is perhaps Mankind’s bestknown and best-loved symphony. The soprano aria is one of Beethoven’s most emotional; it is
not often performed because it is so technically difficult. Beethoven’s own generation loved
these 12 Contradances and they will make the audiences smile and tap their toes,” Lipsky
continued.
The A2SO welcomes world-renowned American Soprano Laura Aikin to Hill’s stage. “Aikin
has sung with me before and she mesmerizes the audiences each time,” added Lipsky.
Possessing an arresting stage presence and a range of over three octaves, her repertoire embraces
works from the Baroque to the contemporary on both concert and operatic stages. Aikin will not
only perform the passionate Ah, Perfido!, but will also sing the soprano part in the Symphony.
Now residing in Milan, Italy, Aikin will present private and public master classes while here.
Melody Racine, mezzo-soprano, graces the A2SO stage for her third time. Associate Professor
and Chair of Voice at the U-M School of Music, Theatre and Dance, Ms. Racine has performed
in venues from Aspen music festivals to Italian opera stages. Recent leading operatic roles
include Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Turn of the Screw.
Tim Culver, tenor, returns to the A2SO stage for the second time after a dazzling performance in
last season’s Carmina Burana. Described as having a “rich but penetrating tenor,” Culver has
become a staple in the Great Lakes music scene. Recently, he performed in Madama Butterfly, I
Pagliacci, Rigoletto, and La Traviata. This year, Mr. Culver was selected to participate in the
Cleveland Art Song Festival where he worked with international artists Christine Brewer, Roger
Vignoles and Warren Jones.
Stephen West, bass, makes his fourth appearance with the A2SO in this concert. Mr. West is a
Professor of Music in Voice at the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the U-M. He has
appeared with many of the finest opera companies in the world, including the Metropolitan
Opera, Opéras National de Paris and Lyon, and the San Francisco Opera. His Seattle Opera
portrayal of Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger inspired Bryan Magee of London’s Daily
Telegraph to write, “He covered himself with glory. At the end the entire audience rose
spontaneously in a standing ovation. I suspect it was one of those special nights of which I shall
find myself saying on future occasions: ‘I was there.’”
The Livingston County Chorale and Women’s Chorus, established in 1991 and 1998,
respectively, perform regularly throughout the county. They have enjoyed collaborations with
the U of M Women’s Glee Club and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra. This is their first
performance with the A2SO.
Also making its A2SO stage debut is the Carillon Women’s Chorale, founded in 2001 by Karen
Nevins for adult women from all walks of life. Fond memories of performing in high school and
college choirs inspired Nevins to pursue choral music after raising her family of three children.
Through the performance of advanced and beautiful works, Nevins’ goal is for the Carillon
Women’s Chorale to awaken a new sense of awareness and appreciation for the ethereal singing
provided through the excellent literature composed specifically for women’s choirs.
A longtime friend to the A2SO, Measure for Measure is joining the symphony for its sixth time.
The choir was founded in 1988 by five U-M Men’s Glee Club alumni in an effort to provide an
opportunity for men to perform music composed and arranged for male chorus. Now in its 25 th
year, chorus members come from throughout southeast Michigan, ranging in age from 21 to over
80. Though drawn from a wide variety of occupational backgrounds, they share a dedication to
the choral art and enjoy a special blend of camaraderie, community and musicality.
The A2SO is proud to have the 2012-2013 season’s opening concert, Beethoven’s Ode to
Joy…A Red Carpet Affair, sponsored by the U-M Centers of Excellence: the Cardiovascular
Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Transplant Center.
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To order tickets call (734) 994-4801, email tickets@a2so.com, or purchase online at
www.a2so.com. Single tickets range from $10 to $58. Subscriptions start at just $40. First time
subscribers buy one season subscription and get one FREE! Students receive 50% off ticket
price in Sections A-D. Senior, group, and community orchestra discounts are also available.
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is a premier regional orchestra offering live symphonic
music for audiences of all ages. The A2SO touches the lives of over 80,000 people every year,
from tiny tots to seasoned citizens in venues ranging from the historic Michigan Theater to Hill
Auditorium as well as schools, daycares, libraries, and various senior citizen centers in the fivecounty area. For concert or educational programming information, contact the A2SO at (734)
994-4801 or e-mail at info@a2so.com.