The Elsinore Theatre, in downtown Salem on Monday, Nov. 23. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem Symphonic Winds will have its first live concert since 2020 at the Elsinore Theatre Sunday.
Portland mezzo-soprano Hannah Penn will be the featured soloist, presenting two arias from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet and the Tango de la Menegilda from the Spanish Zarzuela La Gran Via by Federico Chueca.
“The songs range from reflective, to sultry, coquettish, to just plain funny,” according to director John Skelton.
The band will feature the Afro-American Symphony by William Grant Still. Composed in 1930, Still’s work celebrated Black culture with original music that included the first appearance of “the blues” on the concert stage.
Skelton said returning to live performances hasn’t been an easy transition for the ensemble, noting they had to postpone a show because band members got Covid.
“Our performers are hungry for the opportunity to share live music with our community… The ensemble has embraced a powerful and expressive program to bring healing and joy to our audience,” he said in a statement.
Skelton will offer a pre-concert talk about the music at 2:15 pm. The show runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at ElsinoreTheatre.com. For more information about the program and Covid requirements, visit SalemSymphonicWinds.org or call 503 362-0485.
-Saphara Harrell
