Tragedy & Triumph

Vincent La Selva conducts Beethoven, Rossini and Verdi Tragedy & Triumph Carnegie Hall - November 7, 2002
Tragedy and Triumph are two of the most universal themes that have found expression in all art, whether it be drama, the visual arts, or music itself, from the earliest times. The spectacle of triumph humbled by tragic events or of a tragedy redeemed by joy have had an irresistible appeal down through the ages. Opera - the wonderful melding of theatre and music - is replete with the tragic as well as the triumphant; and so is the music of our great symphonic tradition, and never more so than in the greatest symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven.
Guiseppe Verdi Sinfonia from Aida Grand Finale Act II from Aida	Beethoven took five years to compose his Fifth Symphony, one of the greatest works ever written. The first four notes are probably the most recognized in all of music. Beethoven said of them: "Thus Fate knocks at the door." And from the ominous opening notes to the triumphant finale the great conflicts of life are revealed. I have chosen to open this concert with Gioacchino Rossini's Overture to Semiramide, which lifts the curtain on a classic tale of tragedy: the flawed reign of Semiramide and Assur. The concert will end with the Aida Sinfonia and Grand Finale from Act II. Verdi's Aida, with all its elaborate pageantry - what could be more evocative of the tragedy we have all endured and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit? - Vincent La Selva
Vincent La Selva conducting The New York Grand Opera Orchestra The New York Grand Opera Soloists and Chorus augmented by The Metropolitan Greek Chorale Constantine Kitsopolous, Director Dalton Alumni Chorale Stephen Michael Smith, Director The Shrewsbury Chorale Anthony La Gruth, Director "It is specially remarkable to find a conductor who combines high musical standards with a populism equally true to Verdi's ideals" - Paul Griffiths, The New York Times, January 29, 2001	Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
Gioacchino Rossini Overture to Semiramide	Conductor Vincent La Selva has been a New York music institution for almost fifty years. Founder of the New York Grand Opera Company in 1973, he is unique in the world for presenting fully-staged grand opera productions that are free to the public. Since 1974, Mr. La Selva has chosen New York's Central Park for his productions of grand opera, conducting over 55 operas in upwards of 125 performances, which over the years, have been attended by a total of more than three million people. Last year Mr. La Selva completed and unprecedented eight-year cycle of the complete operas of Verdi and this past summer he presented three Puccini operas in Central Park, Manon Lescaut, Tosca, and the rarely heard Le Villi. In addition to his opera performances, Maestro La Selva has earned special renown for conducting symphonic scores with directness, lyricism, and great passion. In 2001, the Maestro was awarded New York City's highest distinction for achievement in the arts, the coveted Handel Medallion.
Vincent La Selva - Artistic Director
Lisa Daltirus, Soprano	Edward Perretti, Tenor
Valeria Girardi, Mezzo-Soprano	Raemond Martin, Baritone
Andrew Martens, Bass	Steven Fredericks, Bass
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