Marco Parisotto, one of Canada’s foremost international conductors, has been officially appointed the new musical director of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO).
Parisotto will lead the orchestra in three of the symphony orchestra’s six concert programs in 2014’s opening season, which runs from February 30 to March 30 at the Degollado Theater in Guadalajara.
A trained violinist and pianist, Parisotto was born in Montreal of Italian lineage. He is considered one of Canada’s most distinguished conductors on the international scene and has appeared in major concert halls throughout the world. The musical director of the Ontario Philharmonic since 1996, he was appointed principal conductor and artistic advisor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 2003.
The season gets off to a stellar start, with Ludwig van Beethoven’s classic “Ninth Symphony,” universally regarded as Beethoven’s greatest work, and considered by some to be the greatest piece of music ever written.
Program two will be a special concert to mark the centenary of the founding of the modern Mexican Army. It begins with the “Light Cavalry Overture” by Franz von Suppé – a core repertoire for orchestras and bands everywhere. For the rest of the season, the JPO will pay homage to Russian composer Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff by performing his four piano concertos in consecutive programs. Also included in these concerts will be other popular pieces by prestigious composers, such as Mendelsshon, Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms. Below is a run down of the complete program.
PROGRAM 1
Conducted by JPO director Marco Parisotto, with soprano Amber Wagner, contralto Guadalupe Paz, tenor Richard Margison and baritone Luis Ledesma. Featuring the Jalisco State Choir, directed by Sergio Hernández.
Beethoven’s “Ah, perfido!,” Florestan’s aria from Act 2 of Beethoven’s Fidelio “Gott, welch dunkel hier” and “Symphony No. 9 (Choral).”
Teatro Degollado, Thursday, February, 13, 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 16, 12:30 p.m.
PROGRAM 2
Conducted by JPO director Marco Parisotto, with Violinist Alexandre Da Costa and the Jalisco State Choir, directed by Sergio Hernández.
Franz von Suppe’s “Light Cavalry Overture,” Tchaikovsky’s “Concierto para Violín en Re major Op. 35” and “1812 Solemn Overture” and Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.”
Teatro Degollado, Friday, February 21, 8:30 p.m.
PROGRAM 3
Guest conductor Michael Christie with invited pianist Claire Huangci. Haydn’s “Symphony No. 59 in A major (Fire),” Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” and Mendelsshon’s “Symphony No. 4 in A major (Italian).”
Teatro Degollado, Friday, February 28, 8:30 p.m. and Sunday March 2, 12:30 p.m.
PROGRAM 4
Guest conductor Joshua Dos Santos, with invited pianist Alexei Volodin. Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez’s “Girando, Danzando” (Spinning, Dancing), Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No.4 in B flat major.”
Teatro Degollado, Friday, March 7, 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 9, 12:30 p.m.
PROGRAM 5
Conducted by JPO director Marco Parisotto with invited pianist Nikolay Khozyainov.
Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 (Pastoral),” Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 3.”
Teatro Degollado, Friday, March 14, 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, 12:30 p.m.
PROGRAM 6
Guest conductor Christoph Poppen with invited pianist Abdiel Vázquez. Mozart’s “Symphony No. 35 in D major (Haffner),” Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 4” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98.”
Teatro Degollado, Friday, March 26, 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 30, 12:30 p.m.
Tickets for the opening programs of the season will cost from 200 to 400 pesos. Early purchase is advised. For programs two though six, tickets will are priced the same as last year: from 110 to 200 pesos.
They can purchased from the Degollado box office, open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., telephone (33) 3614-477, or through Ticketmaster at (33) 3818-3800 or www.ticketmaster.com.mx. There is a 50 percent discount for students, teachers and over 60s with the correct identification. Admittance to children under the age of six is not permitted.
There is free access to the JPO’s final rehearsal on each Friday of the season at 9 P.M. at the theater. And free musical appreciation talks (in Spanish) are held on the Friday prior to each performance at 7 p.m. in the theater’s basement “Sala” (entry from Calle Morelos).