The Albany Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director, Claire Fox Hillard, opens its 59th season on October 1, 2022, with a “Brazilian Adventure” featuring percussion soloist Britton-René Collins. The performance begins at 6:30 pm at the Albany Municipal Auditorium. Season tickets for the “Next Adventure” season are currently available as well as single tickets to the opening performance. Music Director Hillard says, “our continuation this season of our travel theme will highlight musical traditions in Scotland, Venice, Russia/Ukraine, and America in addition to Brazil, and transport us towards our 60th anniversary next season.”
 
The opening concert includes representative music from Brazil’s rich musical heritage, including 18th-century composer José Maurício Nunes Garcia’s Overture to Zemira and the country’s foremost 20th-century composer Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2. Villa-Lobos’ music incorporates both Brazilian rhythms and melody in describing scenes from his native Brazil. The final section depicts “the little train of the Caipira” imitating a steam engine pulling a train through the countryside. Additionally, music by Grammy-nominated composer/pianist Clarice Assad and Brazil’s first female conductor and pianist of the “choro” Chiquinha Gonzaga will be performed.

Guest soloist, Britton-René Collins will perform Ney Rosauro’s Concerto No. 1 for Marimba. Brazilian born Rosauro is recognized as one of the most important composers for percussion of the 20th-century. His music is infused with Brazilian motifs and elements of jazz. Collins is winner of the 2020 Concert Artist Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition and the 2021 Chicago International Music Competition. She began playing piano at age 5 and discovered percussion at 8 years old when she became intrigued by the drum set. She is an advocate for new music and is co-founder of the Vision Duo with violinist Ariel Horowitz.

Presenting Sponsors for the orchestra’s 59th season are: WALB-TV; Phoebe Putney Health System; Watson Spence Attorneys LLP; and In the Light Creative Studio.

Tickets for the concert are $25 for adults, $22 for senior (65+) and $15 for students/military. Season tickets and season packages are also available at a savings over single ticket prices. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Albany Symphony offices at (229) 430-8933 or visit www.albanysymphony.org