Omaha Symphony Combines Music and Visual Art

October 25th, 2024

This weekend’s Omaha Symphony concerts will feature a combination of musical storytelling and visual art, offering audiences an immersive experience. Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl says the evening begins with one of the classical repertoire’s most celebrated tone poems, ‘Don Juan.’

The program continues with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ famous tone poem *The Lark Ascending*, followed by Béla Bartók’s *Rhapsody No. 1.* Bahl says both works showcase the talents of concertmaster Susanna Perry Gilmore, who will take a leading role in this performance.

In the second half, music and visual art unite. The orchestra will perform *Four Sea Interludes* and *Passacaglia* from Benjamin Britten’s landmark opera *Peter Grimes*, beginning with a companion piece commissioned by the orchestra as a prelude. Composer Matthew Fuerst created this prelude to align with Britten’s music, setting the mood for the iconic interludes.

As Britten’s *Four Sea Interludes* plays, the concert hall will be transformed by the work of theatrical artist Doug Fitch. His design includes banners suspended above the stage, with lighting creating a dynamic interplay of color, light, and shadow on the orchestra below. Fitch says his goal is to create an artistic backdrop that enhances, rather than distracts from, the music. Bahl adds that Fitch’s visual elements will deepen the experience of Britten’s evocative music.

KVNO will broadcast the concert live on Saturday evening. A pre-show will begin at 7:25 p.m., and backstage interviews will take place during intermission.