Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Mansfield community can experience the breathtaking talent and artistry of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra in a free concert on September 21. Open to all, and at no cost to attend, the “Classical Mansfield” opens the symphony’s 94th season, following its hugely popular inaugural event that drew 1,100 patrons in 2023. The one-night-only performance is free of charge to attend thanks to the generosity of the Gorman Donor-Advised Fund of the Richland County Foundation.
The evening’s program features four powerful symphonic works designed to captivate and inspire: contemporary composer Jessie Montgomery’s “Soul Force,” Debussy’s richly imaginative “La Mer,” Ravel’s provocative “Bolero,” and Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto featuring MSO Concertmaster Victor Beyens. As part of the OhioHealth Symphony Series, the performance will be led by esteemed MSO Music Director and Conductor Octavio Más-Arocas. Tickets are free, and available to reserve now at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone, and online at www.rentickets.org.
In “Soul Force,” the rich rhythms of big-band jazz, funk, hip-hop, and R&B pay tribute to the cultural legacy of African-American music and its enduring impact. MSO Concertmaster Victor Beyens takes the stage as a featured musician in this stirring one-movement piece that symbolizes the relentless struggle for a voice to rise above the chains of oppression.
The program continues with Sergei Prokofiev’s “Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 19, in D Major,” a piece that once shared the stage with Igor Stravinsky’s conducting debut in 1923, followed by Claude Debussy’s “La Mer,” a tapestry of orchestral color that has become one of Debussy’s most beloved works.
Rounding out the program is Maurice Ravel’s iconic “Bolero,” one of the composer’s final and most celebrated works that is also widely regarded to be one of the most powerful and dramatic.
Whether new to the world of orchestral music or a seasoned symphony enthusiast, this casual concert offers an incredible opportunity for attendees to experience the symphony at no charge. Patrons are also invited to stop by the venue’s signature Ghostlight Lounge for a pre-show gathering from 6:30-7:30.
Sponsorship opportunities for both the concert and the reception are available by contacting Maddie Penwell, [email protected].
Source: Renaissance Performing Arts Association
