Powell River will soon be abuzz with the sounds of the symphony at Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA) Festival’s Gala Grand Opening Concert.
Taking place Friday, June 16, the opening concert is the festival’s first of four symphony concerts at Evergreen Theatre.
Established in 2012, PRISMA runs June 12 to 24 and is celebrating its fifth anniversary with the return of annual favourites and the addition of a new concert this year.
More than 70 students will travel to Powell River from 11 countries around the world during the festival. Over the span of two weeks, they will perform together as the PRISMA Festival Orchestra.
“The Gala Grand Opening Concert is the perfect opportunity for a preview of what the music of PRISMA is like,” says festival executive director Michelle Hignell. “The variety in music and performance groups is meant to appeal to a diverse audience.”
The opening concert is a relatively new addition to PRISMA’s concert series. Offering a selection of diverse repertoire performed both by PRISMA’s guest artists and the PRISMA Festival Orchestra, this concert is a sampling of all that PRISMA has to offer.
Notable repertoire includes Ibert’s Trois pièces brêves for wind quartet, Susato’s Renaissance Dance Suite, Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture, featuring the full orchestra, and Séjourné’s Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra, featuring last season’s Concerto Competition winner, percussionist Trevor Barroero.
“We’re excited to have Trevor and so many other students return for PRISMA 2017,” says Hignell. “It’s special for the community to hear him perform again after his prize-winning week with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra last fall.”
Besides the Gala Grand Opening Concert and other favourites, PRISMA will also present Raven Tales, a new concert on Tuesday, June 20, with admission by donation. Featuring BC composers and modern repertoire, this concert is distinct from PRISMA’s regular concert series.
In addition to symphony and chamber music concerts, other events include PRISMA on the Beach on Wednesday, June 14, master classes, student recitals, and the Concerto Competition semi-finals at Evergreen Theatre.
PRISMA Gala Grand Opening Concert
When: 7:30 pm, Friday, June 16
Where: Evergreen Theatre
Price: $22
Info: prismafestival.com/festival_events or 1.855.577.4762
