‘A Time to Dance’: A Gonazaga & Cherubini Conservatory Artistic Collaboration

Gonzaga faculty and choir members

Tuesday, May 21: WEST WIND-TRANSATLANTIC MUSIC. Teatro della Pergola, Firenze. 9 pm. Free admission.

Combining the talents of American and Italian artists, “A Time to Dance” is a contemporary symphonic cantata that will harmonize performers from two separate continents; on this occasion, a newly developed ballet will accompany the music.

“A Time to Dance” is full of solos and emotional tone shifts, from the orchestra and chorus at full blast to soft and melancholy string instrumentals with baritone solos. The piece has a range from woodwinds to chorale inserts and from soft bells to full drum sets. All of the lyrics, including “Dancing is love’s proper exercise,” are in English.  The chorus and orchestra are in perfect harmony, neither overtaking the other in force or volume.

The piece was composed by Alec Roth, a guest professor at Gonzaga University. Roth is a British composer born in 1948 who is well known throughout the world. He has written several compositions, including an opera named “Arion and the Dolphin.” Roth has directed for the BBC several times, as well as at the Royal Albert Hall and across the Americas and Asia.

The Gonzaga University and Cherubini Conservatory choruses, and singers from the University of Florence, will perform under the direction of maestro Tim Westerhaus. The ballet corps of Gonzaga University will interpret the creative choreography of Suzanne Ostersmith. Paolo Ponziano will conduct orchestral musicians from both the University of Florence and the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Florence.

A unique experience from the onset, the multiple groups have been practicing separately for much of the time and will perform together publicly for the first time at the concert. This artistic encounter will embody the spirit of cooperation and their love of the city, a tie-in to Florence’s U.S. Consulate General’s 200th anniversary and the inauguration of Gonzaga’s performing arts center.

Admission is free subject to availability, so booking at festivalwestwind@gmail.com is recommended. For more information, call 348 1504022.   (katy rose sparks)