Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
December 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Led Zeppelin at the symphony? A rock and roll percussionist? A sequel to Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung?
For the first time in its history, the Oregon Symphony will be performing Pulitzer-prize winning American composer Christopher Rouse’s Alberich Saved. The concerts are Sunday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, January 15 at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Rouse’s piece illustrates the return of Alberich, the villainous dwarf who set in motion a string of evil deeds in Wagner’s The Ring of the Nibelung. Rouse was inspired to “return Alberich to the stage, so to speak, so that he might wreak further havoc in the godless world in which Wagner has left us in the final pages of Gotterdammerung.”
Percussion soloist Colin Currie will be featured in the piece. From steel drums and marimba’s to a drum kit, Currie will anchor the ensemble. The final movement is like a rock concert, raucous and exuberant, that most closely resembles the Rouse’s own experiences as a rock musician. Currie has performed extensively as a recitalist in London, as well as Tokyo and the U.S.
The classical program will also feature Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger. Also on the program is the Symphony premier of Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question.
Tickets are $20 to $88 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony
Ticket Office, located at 923 S.W. Washington. Ticket office
hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets
can be charged by phone at (503) 228-1353 or
(800) 228-7343, Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets
may also be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (503)
224-4400. Discounted tickets for groups of eight or more are available
through the group sales hotline at (503) 416-6380. Media
support is provided by Northwest NewsChannel 8 and K103. Additional
support provided by the Heathman Hotel.
Images and guest artist bios are available at www.orsymphony.org/media.