The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra closes its 42nd season with the largest number of musicians it has ever had on stage for Carmina Burana, on May 20, 2018. The piece, a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff, is based on 24 poems from the medieval collection Carmina Burana. The poems cover timeless themes, such as the fickleness of fate, the fleeting nature of life and the joy of spring’s arrival. “O Fortuna” is one of the most recognizable elements of Carmina Burana due to its popular use on the silver screen.
The event will be held on Sunday, May 20, at 3 p.m. at Mount Baker Theatre. Tickets start at $15. For details, call the Mount Baker Theatre Box Office at (360) 734-6080 or visit the WSO website at whatcomsymphony.com.
Joining the WSO for this presentation are soprano, José Luis Muñoz, countertenor; José Rubio, baritone; and multiple WWU choirs. There will be a huge orchestra, two pianos and celeste, a large percussion section, outstanding soloists, and singers from Western Washington University.
“Our Carmina Burana concert will be an incredible and historic evening for the Symphony,” says Music Director Yaniv Attar. “We will have over 150 choir members, 90 orchestra members, and 3 soloists together on the stage at once. Our audiences won’t want to miss this brilliant work. We are expecting a full house!”
A pre-concert lecture about the repertoire by Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel starts at 2:15. (Please note time change.) Admission is free, but, due to popularity, seats fill fast.