Philharmonic to open new season

By Guy D’Astolfo

WARREN — Warren Philharmonic Orchestra will present its first concert of the season, “Stories and Pictures,” Sunday afternoon at Christ Episcopal Church.

Special guests will include David Vosburgh, executive director of Opera Western Reserve, as narrator; and vocalists Dione Parker Bennett, soprano, and Brian Keith Johnson, baritone.

In a cost-cutting move, the Warren Philharmonic moved to Christ Church this season after several years at Packard Music Hall. Sunday’s concert will be the first in the church. The cash-strapped orchestra had to cancel the opening concert of the season, which was to be Oct.18.

Sunday’s concert is designed to bring out the whole family. Selections will include Handel’s “Queen of Sheba,” Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” Rossini’s “Overture to William Tell,” Gershwin’s “Bess, You Is My Woman” and a variety of music from the world of opera.

Wyner is looking forward to performing in the new venue.

“The acoustics in Christ Episcopal Church are gorgeous and vibrant, so our “Queen of Sheba,” William Tell’s razzle-dazzle “Overture,” “Peter and the Wolf” and our guest singers’ voices will soar out colorfully and vividly,” she said.

“Peter and the Wolf” will be narrated by Vosburgh.

“Dione and Brian will sing gorgeous Puccini arias, Gershwin songs and duets, ‘You are Music’ from ‘Phantom,’ Figaro’s entrance aria from ‘Barber of Seville,’ and Micaela’s aria, which just got a huge ovation when she sang it in Opera Western Reserve’s ‘Carmen,’” said Wyner.

Bennett played the role of Micaela in OWR’s “Carmen” on Nov. 6 at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown.

Sunday’s concert also includes an “instrumental petting zoo” for children, during which youngsters can get up close with the musicians.

Artwork created by Warren students for the WPO’s Music in Art contest will be on display. Prizes will be awarded to the winners during the concert, and their works will be projected on a screen.

“The talent that exists in this whole area is truly amazing,” said Wyner, “and one of the Philharmonic’s important missions is to celebrate the gifts of our community.”