Norman Gamboa conductor
Matthew Stern viola
RESPIGHI The Fantastic Toy Shop
BERLIOZ Harold in Italy
Ottorino Respighi wrote his ballet, The Fantastic Toy Shop, based on piano pieces by Rossini. The ballet, featuring many lively dances, tells the story of dolls that come to life and dance for the toy shop's customers.
French composer Hector Berlioz adored the Italian contryside, and wrote Harold in Italy as a musical reflection of his sojourns there. The character Harold, represented by a solo viola, is on a romantic pilgrimage in search of the meaning of life.
Join us as we say “Ciao Italia!”