Newtown may not have its own symphony orchestra, or even a symphony hall, but on Saturday, November 30, the community can experience the next best thing, right on Main Street.

That evening, an ensemble of Waterbury Symphony Orchestra (WSO) musicians will perform a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites, featuring the internationally celebrated soprano Michelle Johnson and the internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso Christopher Houlihan in the acoustically optimal space of the iconic Trinity Episcopal Church.

The concert, according to WSO Executive Director Robert Cinnante, is the next installment of the organization’s “Music in Great Spaces” series.

In a chat with The Newtown Bee, Mr Cinnante said the WSO had already qualified Trinity as an extremely desirable space to hold a concert and actually had one scheduled in January that had to be cancelled due to an impending storm.

“We made a decision to expand the geographic reach of the Waterbury Symphony, and Newtown is one of the communities where we want to do that,” Mr Cinnante said. “And last January, our planned concert at Trinity didn’t pan out because of bad weather. But we were committed to coming back this fall with a slightly different program.”

As evidence of the WSO’s commitment to bringing not only music, but new visitors to Newtown, the orchestra recently joined the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, according to Chamber Vice President Judith Miller.

Mr Cinnante said the symphony has also initiated educational programs through C.H. Booth Library.

He said the brass and organ concert will feature a smaller ensemble that will also include a percussion section along with the acclaimed guest performers.

“We want to take our programs beyond the concert hall to historically and architecturally significant venues around the region,” he said, “and there’s no better place to do it than Trinity. Beside the space, the church administration is extremely receptive to bringing these types of programs to their congregation.”

One of the exciting aspects of this program will be the space between the guest organist, who will be seated in the organ loft, and Music Director Leif Bjaland and the rest of the ensemble, who will be located in the front lower level of the church.

“By using a reverse mirror, the organist will be able to watch the conductor and ensemble below,” Mr Cinnante explained.

Mr Cinnante said he had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ms Johnson, and the Trinity concert will be her first performance with the WSO.

“She came and sang in a concert I was on, and she had the availability and interest, so we were able to get her for this program here,” Mr Cinnante said.

The soprano is a graduate of the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, and Grand Prize Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

She has been praised for her “extraordinary breath control and flawless articulation. Her voice is velvety and pliant — a dulcet dream.”

Ms Johnson debuted with Opera Columbus, Knoxville Opera, and Opera Idaho, singing the title role of Aida; Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, singing Verdi’s Requiem, and Madison Opera, singing Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, among many soloist performances according to her bio.

Mr Houlihan has performed at Disney Concert Hall with the principal brass of Los Angeles Philharmonic; the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, presented by Philadelphia Orchestra; and at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, presented by the National Symphony Orchestra.

The Los Angeles Times raved about his Disney Hall debut, proclaiming “Houlihan is the next big organ talent.” His performances with orchestras in past seasons include Barber’s Toccata Festiva with Hartford Symphony, and he has also been featured in recitals around the globe, including a memorable concert in the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris.

In 2020, Mr Houlihan is releasing a recording on the Azica label featuring music by Vierne and César Franck. Recorded on the Church of the Ascension’s Pascal Quoirin Organ, the album includes Vierne’s Symphony No. 6 in B Major and Franck’s Grande Pièce Symphonique.

Doors for the Saturday, November 30, concert in Newtown will open at 6:30, and the performance is scheduled to begin at 7:30. Tickets are $25 when purchased online though waterburysymphony.org before 4:30 pm Friday, November 29. After that, tickets will be $35 at Trinity Church, beginning at 6:30 pm November 30, based on availability.

Trinity Episcopal Church is at 36 Main Street.

‘Casablanca’ With Live Orchestra, Saturday Afternoon

Anyone who cannot wait for the Newtown concert is invited to fall in love again Saturday, November 2, at 3 pm, with the beloved classic romantic film Casablanca, presented with live orchestra.

Staged in Waterbury’s historic Palace Theatre, the event will offer audiences the rare opportunity to experience the 1942 Humphrey Bogart-Ingrid Bergman film on the big screen with Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mr Bjaland, performing the score live.

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture and lauded as one of the greatest movies of all time by the American Film Institute, the live orchestra performing the soundtrack to Casablanca is hoped to be a unique highlight of Mr Bjaland’s 25th anniversary season.

Tickets for this special event are $53.50-$78.50, and are available at palacetheaterct.org or by calling 203-346-2000.

A special post-show reception is also being offered for November 2, with the opportunity to meet Maestro Bjaland while enjoying catered refreshments. Reception tickets are an additional $55, and proceeds from those will benefit the Palace Theater and WSO Annual Funds. Visit the Palace Theater’s website for details and reservations.