Conductor Andrew Grams leads Colorado Symphony in A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Conductor Andrews Grams leads Colorado Symphony in Eastertide program featuring soprano Katherine Whyte and soprano Michelle Areyzaga

Escape into the wondrous fantasy world of Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Colorado Symphony on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 as young American conductor Andrew Grams leads the orchestra in a special Eastertide program. The evening begins with Wagner's Prelude and Good Friday Spell from Parsifal, an opera about the famous knight in search of the Holy Grail. Parsifal, which Wagner called a "stage-consecration-festival play," is rich in philosophical allusion, mystical symbolism and historical reference.

The concert's centerpiece is Mendelssohn's magical A Midsummer Night's Dream, featuring soprano Katherine Whyte, soprano Michelle Areyzaga and the Colorado Children's Chorale. Actors Shelly Gaza and Leigh Miller will read passages from Shakespeare's comedy to bring the melodrama to life amidst shimmering music and radiant voices.

From the first few moments, Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream conjures up images of Shakespeare's play in a musical journey to the enchanted woods and the land of sprites and fairies. Mendelssohn composed the Overture to Shakespeare's comedy in less than a month when he was only 17. Arguably, it is the greatest piece of orchestral music ever composed by one so young, including Mozart and Schubert.

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