Published: May 09, 2008 10:20 am         

New TSO season has shows all summer long

TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse Symphony Orchestra will play Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" in June, adding a new season to its performance calendar.

The shows on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, will usher in the new season and will be performed at the City Opera House. This is the earliest opening in the group's more than 50-year history, performing four shows to be referred to as its TSO SummerNights series.

"We were encouraged by our ticket buyers, many of whom said they couldn't attend in the winter," executive director Edward Downing said.

TSO has traditionally started its season in the fall, with summer shows occasionally tacked on after the official end to the season, Downing said.

"Also, we feel privileged to be part of that downtown arts scene," he said, adding that the artistic energy in the summer is particularly strong with the State Theatre, Old Town Playhouse and other things going on during the warmest months.

TSO's season will begin with a concert titled "Viva Italia!"

In addition to Vivaldi, conductor Kevin Rhodes will also lead the musicians performing Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 "Italian" and Rossini's "L'Italiana in Algeri."

Violinist Janet Sung -- who has been guest soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Aspen Chamber Symphony and has taught master classes at the University of Hartford, Harvard University, The Juilliard School and Oberlin Conservatory of Music -- will be featured instrumentalist for the concerts.

The second set of shows will be on July 18-19, in which the orchestra will perform "Beethoven Favorites." That includes the "Fidelio" Overture; Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"; and Symphony No. 5.

Pianist Aviram Reichert will play on those two concerts. Reichert has won several international piano competitions and is a frequent soloist with leading orchestras in his native country, Israel, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Haifa Symphony Orchestra and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. He is also artist-in-residence at Grand Valley State University near Grand Rapids.

There will be more than music for those who attend any of the summer night shows.

"We're offering those who attend a really special evening," Downing said. Rhodes will be considered conductor and host and local wineries will help put on a reception following the performances.

"We expect the party to continue," Downing said.

All of the summer concerts will be at 8 p.m. at the City Opera House. Tickets and more information are available at tso-online.org.