Timeless and moving, classical and beautiful. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is one of the staples of the fine arts division in the state but was hurt very badly by the coronavirus pandemic.
After being out of work for nearly six months, all orchestra members were required to take a 55% paycut, according to chief flutist Lisa Weinhold. But this did not end the love and desire that the musicians have for bringing music into people’s lives. These professionals have been performing on stages in front of thousands of people for decades, but are bringing their talents into everyone’s home.
Between Friday, March 12 and Sunday, March 21, the ASO will be performing virtually as a part of the “Shamrock and Strings” event during the Spring Serenade concert series. Under the direction of the legendary and inspiring Carlos Izcaray, the ASO will bring a never before seen show to life.
Izcaray is one of the most celebrated directors of the 21st century, and has established his artistic stamp on five continents around the world. A visionary with a love for teaching the youth, Izcaray has helmed over 20 prominent orchestras, and even made a small but distinguished career as a solo concert artist. His performance discography is complex and monumental, as he has taken on some of the toughest challenges that the symphonic world has to offer.
The idea of performing a virtual concert and creating a world that audiences can believe in and engage in, even from their homes; I imagine Izcaray smiles at the challenge.
The coronavirus pandemic has allowed people to discover new hobbies and interests that they had possibly never considered before, and the symphony is something that is becoming increasingly overlooked in the 21st century, despite the beauty and grandeur displayed every night by a room teeming with unmatched professional creativity and talent. With a virtual concert, this may be a wonderful opportunity for audiences to rediscover an old love or to find something new that is beyond what they thought before.
The ASO stream will be live everyday until Sunday, March 21 and then a video will be posted for one week after. The stream will be free to watch, all that is required is an email address. Lovers of music and art will not want to miss this opportunity.