GBS Holiday Concert, Dec. 18

Bridgeport, CT Coming Together Again is the theme of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony’s first live season after the pandemic and will come to life in music at The Klein on December 18 at 8:00pm.  Featuring guest conductor Elinor Rufeizen, an Israeli conductor, clarinetist, and Julliard graduate, who has selected the evenings works to bring together two of the cradles of Classical music, Vienna and Italy, with opera highlights that sing of the reuniting of spirits for an evening that will warm the heart.

Ms. Rufeizen hand-picked arias that highlight the importance of people being together and reveling in each other’s presence – something missed during the pandemic, and perhaps valued now more than ever.  Soloists Ariadne Greif, soprano, and just announced, Jean Bernard Cerin baritone (who replaced Phillip Bullock due to a last minute scheduling issue), will sing arias including “La Bohème,” “Die Fledermaus,” “Der  Freischütz,” and “Don Giovanni,” as well as Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and “Silent Night.”   Greif performed with GBS in December 2016 and will reprise her spirited rendition of “Musetta’s Waltz” in this concert.  The program will also include the familiar overture from “La Gazza Ladra,” “The Merry Widow,” Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers,” and “Carol of the Bells.”  This full program concludes with Mendelssohn’s iconic Italian Symphony “Symphony No. 4.” 

This concert will be the third of five in GBS’ 76th season.  Music Director Eric Jacobsen designed the season so that the maximum number of musicians could fit on stage safely, to make the grandest sound.  Audiences have reacted with unbounded enthusiasm.  Said one concertgoer, “All the principals and soloists were outstanding.  So moving to be enveloped by live music again.”  Covid safety protocols (proof of vaccination, mandatory masking) have been in place, with social distancing encouraged.  “Audiences are smaller, a little more than half of normal, but so far this has made more distance between parties, and more comfort,” said Executive Director Mark Halstead.  “The numbers are less important than the electric feeling in the house, though.  People are so grateful to be back with live music, and they’re all cheering for two!”

Tickets for the December 18 show range from $18.00 - $65.00 and available HERE.  Subscriptions at substantial discounts are still available.  Partial subscriptions are still available along with complimentary eSubscription for home viewing with issue dates three weeks after the concerts. Family discounts can also be arranged by calling GBS at (203) 576-0263.

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Submitted by Milford, CT

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