April 4, 2024 – The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) and The Westdale Cinema are thrilled to announce Musically Speaking, a brand-new music appreciation series presented in partnership and supported by, incite Foundation for the Arts. HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte hosts this series featuring 90-minute events highlighting renowned composers through music history and performance recordings.
In a three-part event series, Musically Speaking presents video recordings of Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra performances complemented by fascinating historical context, musical and production insights by Richardson-Schulte. Audiences will enjoy the beautiful setting of the historic Westdale Cinema and a bag of their signature popcorn for an engaging and informative afternoon of music and history.
“We are so excited to partner with the HPO on this unique opportunity to present the orchestra on the big screen, in a way that they’ve never been experienced before,” Alysha Main, The Westdale Cinema Executive Director.
“The Westdale Cinema is an important cultural institution in our community, and we are thrilled to see this partnership come to fruition through Musically Speaking. Our partners at Hills Video Productions expertly captured several HPO concerts at our home of FirstOntario Concert Hall and we are pleased to have the opportunity to highlight their work again,” Kim Varian, HPO Executive Director.
Tickets to each event in the series are on sale now at thewestdale.ca or in person at The Westdale Cinema (1014 King St W). Each ticket includes a small popcorn from The Westdale Cinema concessions. Tickets are $15, tax and applicable fees included.
Musically Speaking, Spring 2024
Wednesday, April 24 at 1pm
The Westdale Cinema
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart receives wide acclaim as one of history’s most significant composers and musical geniuses. Join HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte at The Westdale for a deep dive into Mozart’s life and music. We explore his relationships and challenges while learning to navigate the social hierarchies of the time to become an established artist. Hear Mozart’s work with an HPO performance of his Symphony No. 31 “Paris” on the big screen!
Wednesday, May 15 at 1pm
The Westdale Cinema
A significant figure of the Romantic Era, Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s music evokes powerful emotion, representative of his often-turbulent life. HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte takes audiences on a compelling journey through Tchaikovsky’s life and musical impact. We explore the political and social culture he was working within and the lasting legacy of his music. A video of the HPO’s performance of his fateful Symphony No. 4 compliments this talk.
Wednesday, June 19 at 1pm
The Westdale Cinema
One of the most recognizable pieces of orchestral music is Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Join HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte for an engaging exploration of Antonio Vivaldi’s life and contributions to music. Known as the red headed Priest, Vivaldi is a key figure of the Baroque Era. Watch the HPO performance of his quintessential work, The Four Seasons, as well as the 20th Century work it inspired, Astor Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.
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Supported by:
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Media Contacts:
| Sarah Chadwick Marketing and Communications Coordinator Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra 905.526.1677 x 211 schadwick@hpo.org | |