Programme

Giacomo Puccini's "La Fanciulla del West" (J. De Meij arrangement)
Johan De Meij "Casanova" (soloist Mindaugas Bačkus, cello)
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Johan De Meij "American Prelude"
Johan De Meij Symphony No.2 "The Big Apple. The concert programme will playfully blend the musical traditions of two continents - North America and Europe. At the beginning of the 20th century, America became a synonym and a source of inspiration for many artists in the New World. Interestingly, the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini wrote an opera on this theme, La Fanciulla del West, based on Carlo Zangarini's play The Girl of the Golden West. The playful flirtation with the opera suite is also recognisable in Johan De Meij's Casanova, which will be performed with the orchestra by Lithuanian cello virtuoso Mindaugas Bačkus. In addition, a special opus awaits the audience - Johan De Meij's Second Symphony "The Big Apple: A New York Symphony". In this monumental work, the sounds of the big city are transformed into a dense musical drama, while the colours of the symphony's huge brass orchestra create a play of never-before-heard harmonies.