Sinfonia da Camera: English Painters, Poets, and Playwrights 

Sinfonia da Camera presents an evening of evocative musical imagery inspired by English painters, poets, and playwrights! A depiction of Thomas Rowlandson's painting of the same name, Walton's Portsmouth Point Overture portrays the seaside bustle of the busy port town in southern England as ships prepare for departure. The title of Frank Bridge's There is a Willow Grows Aslant a Brook is drawn from Shakespeare's Hamlet in which Queen Gertrude describes the tragic circumstances in which the drowned Ophelia was discovered. The first half concludes with arguably Coates' most well-known work, London Everyday Suite, depicting London's Convent Garden, Westminster, and Knightsbridge areas. Following intermission, as part of a continuing collaboration with Lyric Theatre @ Illinois, the evening continues with a lightly-staged production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury. A comic opera depicting a "breach of marriage" trial, this farcical production ultimately concludes in an unexpected new marriage and "joy unbounded!" 

Walton: Portsmouth Point Overture
Bridge: There is a Willow Grows Aslant a Brook
Coates: London Everyday Suite*
Gilbert and Sullivan: Trial by Jury

* A premiere of Richard Prior's Piano Concerto No. 2 was initially programmed; unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances necessitated a substitution. Maestro Hobson, Mr. Prior, and all of Sinfonia da Camera eagerly look forward to presenting this world premiere in the future!