First Theatrical Masterpiece Concert On Sunday.  

In a season filled with firsts, the Santa Clarita Symphony invites the community to attend "An Evening at the Palace," its first theatrical Masterpiece Concert, starting 8 p.m., Saturday, April 7, at the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center.

The Symphony will transport you back in time to Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy's Summer palace in year 1772, as they re-create Joseph Haydn's dramatic "Farewell" Symphony, Number 45. 

All the notables will be there, including J.S. Bach, just back from Brandenburg.

More musical delights for "An Evening at the Palace", guests include:

            Hovaness:

                        Prayer for Saint Gregory for 2 Oboe and Strings

            J.S. Bach:

                        Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

            Villa-Lobos:

                         Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, Aria for Strings and Solo Voice

With Baroque-inspired staging and art direction provided by Santa Clarita's own Blue Cactus Pictures and actors in period costume provided by Old Town Newhall's Repertory East Playhouse (REP), the evening's performance will feature 22 members of the Santa Clarita Symphony, joined by internationally celebrated acclaimed soprano Marissa Steingold.

"Ms. Steingold is very well-known in the industry and often performs with our Concertmaster, Phillip Vaiman," Symphony Marketing Director John Dow said. She is a flawless singer, with a very wide range and mastery of classical and jazz techniques. Her versatility enables her to reach in and do many things that other artists find difficult. In addition, Ms. Steingold has command of the Portuguese language and deep understanding of Brazilian musical literature.

"The Bachianas Brasileiras, written for Portuguese, was specifically programmed with Ms. Steingold in mind," said Robert E. Lawson, the Symphony's Maestro. "Marissa is riveting.  You will find yourself listening to every note and nuance of her voice. It is impossible  not to feel moved."

A graduate of  Princeton University and New England Conservatory, Ms. Steingold has received numerous awards and prizes, including the Sachs Prize and the downbeat Magazine Award. Marissa performed many of her quirky jazz originals at Jordan Hall and around Boston with her project "Das Steingold."

Ms. Steingold has traveled around the world performing her own jazz music, big band, opera, R&B, Jewish music, Brazilian bossa, and works of contemporary composers. Her voice has been featured in many major motion pictures and national commercials. She resides in Los Angeles, where she also teaches voice.

An Evening at the Palace will be one for the ages, Dow said.  "It's our first 'theatrical' Masterpiece Concert, where stage dressing and live actors will be used to provide context for a historical re-creation of Joseph Haydn's dramatic "Farewell" Symphony No. 45.

"The benefit  of adding a 'theatrical' element to the Symphony is that it allows us to collaborate with and incorporate other Santa Clarita Arts organizations such as the REP and Blue Cactus Pictures to create unique, innovative programming that exposes audiences in the Santa Clarita Valley to the broader, diverse talents of our local arts community",  Dow noted.  "We believe that building the broader arts community through collaboration with other Santa Clarita-based performing and visual artists is key to the growth and success of the arts in our community.  The Symphony plans to present more events such as this."

Advance tickets for the "An Evening at the Palace" at the Performing Arts Center are now on sale for $40, $30 and $20, and available for purchase through the Symphony website at http://www.scsymphony.com or by calling 661-284-6044.

Discounts for students, seniors, and 25-Score members are available. Group discounts of 15% (10 or more tickets) to 25% (20 or more tickets) are also available.

"We invite church, educational, and civic groups in the community to take advantage of our  group discounts," said Dr. Michael Millar, the Symphony's Executive Director and a member of the orchestra~s brass section.  We can work with you on fundraising for your organization through ticket sales, or you can simply pass along the discounts to your members."

The Santa Clarita Symphony is a California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation (I.R.C. ~501(c)(3)), and donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The Santa Clarita Symphony Guild is now being established as a primary support group for the Symphony and its programs. Email info@scsymphony.com for membership details.

For more information about the Symphony, email info@scsymphony.com, call 661-284-6044 or visit the Symphony's website.