Vol. 13: May 2013 Newsletter
Director's Corner: Books and their Covers
They tell you never to judge a book by its cover. I'm sure folks in the publishing and fashion industries hate to hear that, but there's sense in it too, as Shakespeare reminds us in Twelfth Night when Feste tells Olivia, "Cucullus not facit monachum" –the hood does not make the monk. Wise words to live by.
But I'm a sucker for surfaces, I guess, because I keep staring at the covers, front and back, of our new Hylton Presents 2013-2014 Season Brochure (pictured at right - click the cover to view online). And I find, contra Shakespeare and folk wisdom, that the covers actually tell a pretty wonderful truth about our fabulous fourth season.
Music, dance, color, and spectacular family entertainment that nourishes all the senses dominate the front cover, while on the back those harmonious gentlemen of Chanticleer beckon to us, practically singing off the page in their best-in-class style of a cappella choral performance. Between the covers you'll find more top-drawer artistry than ever before, spanning all genres of the performing arts; the return of our popular Hylton Family Series; and an impressive spread about the Hylton Center's Resident Arts Partners, five vital community-based companies that bring both fine artistry and engaged audiences to the Hylton Center throughout the season.
Towards the end of the book, please note the return of our region's musical crown jewel, Maestro Lorin Maazel's Castleton Festival, once again gracing the Merchant Hall stage with two world-class concerts this summer. As the thousands of Castleton patrons in past seasons will affirm, these performances are in the not-to-be-missed category.
So to pit truism against truism: here's the exception that proves the rule – you CAN judge a book by its cover when it's the Hylton Presents 2013-2014 Season Brochure!
Announcing the 2013 Castleton Festival at the Hylton
The Castelton Festival celebrates its five-year anniversary with two concerts at the Hylton Center this summer. The Castleton Festival has quickly taken its place among the top international festivals performing classic and rarely performed works for audiences around the world.
Artistic Director and conductor, Lorin Mazel, and his 70-plus member Castleton Festival Orchestra along with distinguished guests will present An Italian Extravaganza on June 30 and Mostly Mahler on July 18. Celebrating all things Italian, An Italian Extravaganza will include favorite highlights from the glories of Italian Opera and Mostly Mahler is an evening of orchestral majesty not to be missed. This concert features Mahler's lyrical Symphony No. 4 and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 ("The Reformation") which will round out the Castleton Festival at the Hylton.
Last Call for Hylton Presents 2012-2013
As we usher in the 2013-2014 season with much anticipation we conclude this season of Hylton Presents with a jam-packed weekend filled with show-stopping music by two award-winning musicians: Dr. Ralph Stanley and Lila Downs. On Saturday, May 4 the patriarch of bluegrass, Dr. Ralph Stanley, returns to the Hylton Center for an unforgettable evening of music with his celebrated band, The Clinch Mountain Boys. Don't miss this living legend, who has been called "easily the most eminent bluegrass singer in the world," (NPR's Fresh Air) in a concert of traditional bluegrass, old-time, and mountain music. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking here.
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo we welcome Mexican-American singer Lila Downs to the Merchant Hall stage. This dazzling artist and 2013 Grammy Award winner, who has been praised by the Los Angeles Times for her "stunning voice" fuses her own unique interpretations of indigenous Mexican music and her original compositions with blues, soul, jazz and African sounds. This festive concert is made complete with complimentary chips and salsa tasting. Enjoy corn tortilla chips by Abuelita and Gunther's salsa made possible by Opera House Gourmet and Abuelita Mexican Foods. For tickets visit our website.
Spotlight on Local Arts
The Hylton Center's Resident Arts Partners offer three upcoming performances not to be missed. Take a musical journey through time with Manassas Symphony Orchestra's Bach to the Future, enjoy a classic ballet performed by Manassas Ballet Theatre accompanied by live music and celebrate with the Manassas Chorale in a patriotic concert entitled, A Star-Spangled Celebration!
Manassas Symphony Orchestra
Bach to the Future
May 11 at 7:30 pm
Celebrating our 20 years of growth and looking forward to the next twenty. Join us for an extraordinary night of music by Bach, Copland, Del Borgo, and Tchaikovsky. Featuring Julliard professor Clarinetist Jon Manasse.
Manassas Ballet Theatre
Don Quixote
May 18 at 7:30 pm
May 19 at 3 pm
Don Quixote, a classic ballet, focuses on the romance between Basilio and Kitri. Kitri wants to marry Bailio, a lowly barber, despite her father's wishes. As their romance faces trials, the chivalrous Don Quixote provides assistance while chasing his own illusions of love.
Manassas Chorale
A Star-Spangled Celebration!
Friday, May 31 at 7:30 pm
Wave the Red, White and Blue as you hear 15 patriotic songs! 100-voice chorus, 16-piece orchestra, five octaves of handbells and one talented Children's Honor Chorus.
And stay tuned for Prince William Little Theatre's production of Bye Bye Birdie this summer.