Downey Symphony opens 68th season
On the same night that the City of Downey held a celebration or its 150th anniversary, the Downey Symphony Orchestra Opened its 68th season with Tides of Love.
Early-bird patrons enjoyed the art exhibit that the Downey Arts Coalition put on. “We have 100 pieces by 21 local artists,” said Pat Gil, President. “That’s a big show.” The theme was Bliss, and there were ceramics and blown glass vases as well as paintings. Eloise Ball helped out and DAC’s Alistair Hunter roamed the exhibit. The gallery on the mezzanine level is easily reached by the glass elevator.
Many also came early to hear Music Director Sharon Lavery’s 7:15 pm pre-concert talk about the music she was about to conduct. Audiences love Conductor Sharon for her dedication to Downey.
Seen in the lobby was Larry Dusich, of the Downy Civic Light Opera, who handled the lighting effects so well at the recent Symphony’s fund raiser, The Phantom of the Opera’s Garden Party. Adele Alexander, Hop Morrison and Tom Hutchinson came early, while Mary Stevens ably held forth at the table where the printed programs were. Marge and Larry Lewis, and Katie and Bill Hare, with daughter Janet, arrived.
Jim Reed, who wore a cape and mask at the Phantom Party, chatted with eth Gendreau and Dorothy Pemberton, who always puts Symphony concerts on her busy schedule. “I will work on increasing attendance with awareness and advertising to surrounding cities to help fill the theatre,” she said.
The Downey Symphonic Society’s 2023-24 season includes the well-attended Pops in the Park in August, and two subscription concerts in the Downey Theatre, this one and an April 6, 2024 concert, Springtide, that will include the lively auction for the composer’s baton.
“Also, in cooperation with the Downey Unified School District,” said Sharon, “we will produce two children’s concerts. There will be one especially scripted for the third grade, and another for the fifth grade. All those Downey students will be bussed here to the Theatre for two mornings of music. This is part of the DSS’s Music in the Schools Outreach Program, and the kids love it.”
Mark Keller did the honors of welcoming the audience, and the artists who were exhibiting were recognized. The combination of the arts and music is a natural.
Baritone Anthony Moreno was deeply effective in singing the Lieder, songs by Gustav Mahler set to poems by the poet Friedrich Rückert that were both intimate and spiritual.
This lyric output put the audience in the mood for the Tchaikovsky’s heart-on-sleeve passionate Fifth Symphony, to which the entire second half of the evening was dedicated. The performance lasted almost fifty minutes, and the audience was rapt the entire time.
Heads turned and nodded as the second movement’s luscious main theme appeared. Then the Fate motive undergoes various metamorphoses, emerging triumphant in the conclusion. The winds and the brass were joined by a strong string section that brought out all the subtleties of tone and texture of the instruments. Percussion and the deepest notes were provided by 3 timpani.
Attendance was lower than expected, but “our musicians poured their hearts and souls into that Tchaikovsky,” said Conductor Sharon. “It’s difficult to play to rows of empty seats. They played as if it were a full house, so I’m deeply proud of them.”
“Our Theatre’s attendance was also low for the recent Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston tribute shows,” said a Theatre personnel. “Audiences just haven’t come back yet for the performing arts.”
Plans are underway for another special gala fundraiser in January. The April 6, 2024 concert will feature Beethoven, Mozart and Mendelsson, and a festive champagne reception on the Theatre patio for the audience and musicians after the performance.