Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet, as viewed by two Russian composers, is the theme of Sunday’s free concert by the Mukilteo Community Orchestra.
The program begins at 2 p.m. March 2 at Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture” and Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet Second Suite” will be performed.
The concert also features Mariner and Kamiak high school theater students, who will read parts of Shakespeare’s play.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with the schools to feature these talented high school students,” said Louise Stanton-Masten, president of the orchestra. “It fits perfectly with our mission to provide performance and educational opportunities in music and the arts for the community.”
Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev lived in different times, but both were inspired by the timeless tragic story of Romeo and Juliet.
Prokofiev reused music from his Romeo and Juliet ballet when he composed three suites for orchestra. Suite No. 2, to be performed Sunday, begins with a musical description of the feuding Montague and Capulet families.
Tchaikovsky’s symphonic poem is perhaps better known than Prokofiev’s work because its love theme has been used in numerous movies.
Trevor Lutzenhiser, artistic director and conductor of the volunteer orchestra, said he is excited about the concert.
“Both composers are Russian, although Prokofiev followed Tchaikovsky by over 50 years, a significant 50 years in the development of musical styles,” Lutzenhiser said.
“Our hope is that the music transports our audience into the story of these two star-crossed lovers and the joy and tragedy that Shakespeare wrote about.”
More information about the community orchestra and its concerts is at www.mukilteoorchestra.org.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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