SACRAMENTO, CALIF. The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera is excited to announce their first ever All-American orchestral program featuring an artist-in-residence: contemporary composer, Loren Loiacono! The week leading up to the highly-anticipated presentation of Rhapsody in Blue on February 23, 2019 includes topical performance and engagement events throughout the Sacramento districts, focused on exploring the tradition and trajectory of orchestral music made in America. Featured speakers and performers include Ms. Loiacono, Maestro David Alan Miller, soloist Kevin Cole and members of the SP&O philharmonic.

“Sacramento is such a forward thinking city with a deep appreciation for the arts, so it’s the perfect place to showcase living music,” said Executive Director, Alice Sauro. “Our musicians will work directly with Loren in a real-time collaboration. The result will be an authentic expression of her piece that is unique to our audience—our community right here and now. That’s not an opportunity you get with most of the classical canon!”

The culminating program, led by Grammy Award-winning conductor David Alan Miller, celebrates the American tradition with works by Gershwin while also guiding patrons into the future of the art form through the esteemed work by Loiacono, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork by her late teacher, Steven Stucky.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera is dedicated to increasing the knowledge of the existence and importance of repertoire, composers, influences, and extensive relevance of Americans’ work in the Classical genre as part of history and the future.

“When we take on new works, our audience is shaping what future generations will know as core repertoire,” said Sauro. “Over two hundred years ago, Beethoven was just one of hundreds of composers. It was through the community discourse of audiences who ultimately demanded to hear his music, that he is a household name today. It’s our duty to move the art form forward for generations to come and to foster these conversations in our community.”

Artist-in-Residence Events:

February 18
Sacramento State Women in Business Meeting – 6:00pm
Loiacono and Sauro will speak to a select group of Sac State college students and community members about navigating the business side of the arts as a musician, composer, administrator, and entrepreneur.

February 19
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Sacramento, Teichert Branch (Lemon Hill Ave.) – 4:30pm
SP&O string quartet will play selections of American music, co-curated and hosted by Loiacono, to educate, engage, and inspire, children and teens through the power of music. ​Prior to concert, families can interact hands-on with our Instrument Discovery Zone.

February 20
Sophie’s Place – 3:30pm
SP&O string quartet will perform for patients from Sutter Children’s Hospital, hosted by Loiacono. Young patients will be exposed to the transformative power of music through a beautifully moving and interactive therapeutic experience.

Guest Artist-on-the-Go Sacramento State School of Music Workshop – 7:00pm
Loren and Maestro Miller will speak to students from the Sac State Music and Composition Programs, as well as other college ​and high school students and teachers from various regional music programs. Attendees will be treated to a discussion about making music and making a name for yourself in the music industry today.

February 21
Insight with Beth Ruyak, Capital Public Radio – 9:00am
Beth Ruyak will interview Loiacono about being a 21st century artist, the ins-and-outs of being a composer, curator, and entrepreneur, and an insight into her greatest inspirations.

Guest Artist-on-the-Go Open Rehearsal – 6:45pm
Music students and teachers from across the region will witness the real-time collaboration as composer Loiacono interacts with the orchestra to perfect their interpretation of her piece . The evening will feature a meet-and-greet with Loiacono and Miller. Creative writers of the 916 Ink organization will also collaborate with the SP&O to create literary pieces inspired by the music on the program and the interaction and experiences they have with the guest artists.

February 22
Private Donor Event
Local chef will prepare an interactive meal with guest artists Loiacono and Miller, featuring a culinary interpretation of the weekend musical program. This event will highlight the intersection of culinary and musical arts.

February 23
Rhapsody in Blue – 8:00pm
The culminating concert event, Rhapsody in Blue, will be held at the Community Center Theater at 8:00pm. The pre-concert lecture featuring ​soloist, Kevin Cole, Loren Loiacono and David Alan Miller will start at 7:00pm.

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What began as the Sacramento Symphony in 1948 is now combined into the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, returning with authority as a melded organization in 2015. The organization is now in its fourth season under the executive leadership of Alice Sauro, and once again offers musical power, beauty, and innovation. As one of the Central Valley’s premier arts ensembles, the organization continues to bring the very best artistic talent to audiences throughout the region.