Story
by Linda East Brady
, Standard-Examiner staff
- Aug 19 2012 - 12:53am
The Ogden Symphony Ballet Association is bringing a season to Ogden for 2012-13 that has its heart in the movie house.
A much-anticipated movie release in December is “Les Misérables,” starring Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, with the memorable score by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. Following in February, the Utah Symphony and the Utah Symphony Chorus present “Do You Hear the People Sing,” songs from all of the shows of Boublil/Schönberg, which will include hits from “Les Misérables” and “Miss Saigon,” as well as their lesser known but strong work.
In November, the Utah Symphony piano maestro, Jason Hardink, plays a program that showcases “Rhapsody in Blue.” The Gershwin classic has been key in many a movie, including “Fantasia 2000” and “Manhattan.”
The April 1 show, “El Salón México,” is part of the family series. The Aaron Copland piece about a bustling mercado also inspired a film, which will be excerpted on screen behind the orchestra as part of the concert.
Then on May 2, the Utah Symphony features the music of John Williams, who composed the scores for “Jaws”,” “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars,” and many other action-packed movies.
Ogden Symphony Ballet Association marketing manager Melissa Seamons said it’s hard to pick a favorite from the season.
“This is such a good season — not really flashy or anything, but there is depth there,” she said.
Seamons picks “Here Comes Santa Claus!,” the annual celebration of Christmas expressly for the young, as the best all-around choice for young ones. She points out that “The Nutcracker,” which rolls through for two nights in November, is not for the very young, but is perfect for those about ages 6 to 10.
For a classic classical experience, Seamons chooses the first masterwork concert, with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 2, as well as a Stravinsky piece.
“I’m excited for that, because I love Rach,” said Seamons. “But I am also a bit of a musical theater nerd, and so I am excited about ‘Do You Hear the People Sing,’ too. Of course, ‘Les Miz’ and ‘Miss Saigon’ went crazy in the states, but some of their other pieces, from ‘Martin Guerre’ or ‘Wuthering Heights,’ are beautiful, if lesser known. It will be great to expose people to their other shows.”
Individual tickets can be purchased for the 2012-13 season starting at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20. Various discount season ticket packages are available as well. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the OSBA at 801-399-9214, or by stopping by the box office, 638 E. 26th St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted below, at the Browning Center’s Austad Auditorium, on the Weber State University campus at 3848 Harrison Blvd.
OSBA 2012-13 season
- Sept. 13 — Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2, $16-$36
- Oct. 25 — Russian Masters, $16-$36
- Nov. 1 — “Rhapsody in Blue,” $26-$42
- 7 p.m. Nov. 23 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 24 — Ballet West’s “The Nutcracker,” $19-$39
- 7 p.m. Dec. 18 — “Here Comes Santa Claus!” $12, $8/children, $36/families up to 6 people
- Dec. 20 — Holiday Celebration With Bravo Broadway, $26-$42
- Jan. 10 — Sibelius Violin Concerto, $16-$36
- Jan. 19 — Brigham Young University’s The Young Ambassadors, $18 and $20
- Feb. 7 — Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony $16-$36
- Feb. 28 — “Do You Hear the People Sing,” $26-$42
- 7 p.m. April 1 — “El Salón México,” $12, $8/children, $36/families up to 6 people
- April 27 — BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble, $18 and $20
- May 2 — The music of John Williams, $26-$42.