It91裸聊视频檚 a performance to ring in the New Year, steeped in years of global tradition.

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Viennese Delights Jan. 21 in Vernon, Jan. 19 in Kelowna and Jan. 20 in Penticton.

91裸聊视频淚t (performing Viennese compositions) has been a longtime New Years tradition globally,91裸聊视频� Rosemary Thomson, OSO music director said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not having it on New Year91裸聊视频檚 Day, but it91裸聊视频檚 a tip of the hat to that tradition.91裸聊视频�

Waltz classics and operettas crafted by 19th century Austrian composers, including Johann Strauss Jr. and Franz Leh谩r, comprise the soundtrack Thomson and the OSO cultivated.

91裸聊视频淚n it91裸聊视频檚 early days, waltz was considered quite scandalous due to the close personal contact. If they could only see us now,91裸聊视频� Thomson laughed.

And, Thomson said, no Viennese Delight would be complete without ballroom dancers on stage. Vernon91裸聊视频檚 own City Dance Studio ballroom dancers Heather Stranks and Jens Goerner will grace the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage to accommodate such a requirement.

91裸聊视频淭hey will be there to bring the waltz to life,91裸聊视频� Thomson said of Stranks and Goerner.

While waltz is traditionally an instrumental form of music, the OSO take on these Viennese classics also features nine singers from the University of British Columbia Vancouver Opera Ensemble Studio to sing excerpts from two famous operettas: Leh谩r91裸聊视频檚 The Merry Widow and Strauss Jr.91裸聊视频檚 Die Fledermaus.

91裸聊视频淥perettas became a very big thing in Austria in the second half of the 1800s,91裸聊视频� Thomson said, adding that this will be the OSO91裸聊视频檚 third collaboration with the UBC Vancouver Opera Ensemble Studio. 91裸聊视频淭he quality (of the studio) is so high. Many of their graduates have gone on to lustrous careers.91裸聊视频�

The combination of all four components 91裸聊视频� the orchestra, City Dance Studio ballroom dancers, UBC Vancouver Opera Ensemble Studio singers and the greatest hits of 19th century Austria 91裸聊视频� is a match about which Thomson is personally excited.

91裸聊视频淓verybody loves that all the relationships work out in waltz. In the end, it91裸聊视频檚 very happy music,91裸聊视频� Thomson said of the composition choices. 91裸聊视频淚 think it was such that theatre was a place of real escapism, a place to go to have your spirits lifted. It91裸聊视频檚 so beautiful and I91裸聊视频檓 just instantly transported to a place with so much optimism.91裸聊视频�

To add to the illusion of pre-First World War Austria, the orchestra will take the stage in full ballroom regalia.

91裸聊视频淵ou have to imagine the ballroom full of dancers. It91裸聊视频檚 this formalized beauty,91裸聊视频� Thomson said, adding that the audience is also invited to don their ballroom-best.

With the beauty of ballroom dancing, Austrian operetta and waltz numbers, Thomson hopes the evening will act as an auditory transporter for the audience as it has previously done for her.

91裸聊视频淚t reminds me of being a kid and my dad would teach me to waltz by dancing with my feet on his. It91裸聊视频檚 a very nostalgic music,91裸聊视频� Thomson said.

91裸聊视频淚 hope people will come and be swept away.91裸聊视频�

The Okanagan Symphony presents Viennese Delights, the third installment of the OSO Masterworks series, at Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Jan. 21 at 7 p.m., at the Kelowna Community Theatre Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., and the Cleland Community Theatre Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $56.25 adult, $49 senior, $26.75 student and are available or in Vernon from the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, .

entertainment@vernonmorningstar.com
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