Texas A&M International University

In concert at LCC Sunday LPO program has ties to 'Oscar Night'

Music from popular movie soundtracks, which snared the spotlight on previous "Oscar Nights," will steal the spotlight again when the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra presents music from "From Stage and Silver Screen" on Sunday, Feb. 27, at Laredo Community College.

Prior to this year's evening presentation of the Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 27, the LPO will present a concert featuring music made popular on the opera stage and by Hollywood films. The Orchestra's third concert of its 25th anniversary season begins at 4 p.m. at the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater on the West End of Washington Street.

LPO Music Director Brendan Townsend says that many of the works selected are "classical" musical compositions that were used in films, including Eine Kleine Nachtmusiek, used in "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective;" and the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, featured in "The Godfather 3."

"The variety of music in this concert is sure to please just about every taste. Many of the selections not only are popular through their use in Hollywood films, but are well known by those who attended Laredo ISD elementary schools during the 1970s and 80s, during which time these tracks were part of the core music curriculum," explained Townsend.

The orchestra will be joined by vocal soloists to perform popular arias from operas.

Soprano and Texas native Linda Poetschke, who has appeared in past years with the LPO and the Laredo Philharmonic Chorale, will sing Handel's Farinelli Il Castrato and Love Lessons from Lascia chi'ia Pianga (Rinaldo) and Puccini's O mio bambino caro (Gianni Schicchi).

Tenor Jason Lindsay of Houston will perform Ruggero Leoncavallo's Vesti la Giubba: (I Pagliachi), and the Love Duet from the final act of La Traviatta with Poetschke.

This is a special year for the LPO, which last year began a successful collaboration with Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University. The 25th anniversary of the foundation of the orchestra in Laredo is being marked by the season's theme "Silver Memories/Golden Dreams" as the LPO Board looks towards the next 25 years.

The final concert of the LPO's Silver Anniversary season-entitled "Golden Ages of Music-" presents an eclectic mix of works highlighting music of different eras, from the Baroque to the twentieth century, and different composers. This concert will be held at the Recital Hall at TAMIU on April 17 at 4 p.m.

Individual concert tickets are $20 or $12 for senior adults. Students who present an ID card can enter for free. Tickets are available at the LCC and TAMIU business offices, Elmo Lopez Music Company, The Jardiniere, Foster's Starbucks at the corner of Del Mar and McPherson, Piccirillos and Emperor Garden. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the concert.

For further information, contact the LPO at 721-5258 or 326-3039.