The Passion of Italy concert (orchestra & choir)

Lovers of memorable melodies, lush harmonies and operatic drama are in for a treat on March 8 and 10, as the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association presents The Passion of Italy. The concert, which combines the Gorge Sinfonietta and Voci Community Choir, includes music by Verdi, Albinoni, and Puccini’s most ambitious composition outside of his operas, the Messa di Gloria.

Sinfonietta conductor Mark Steighner says programming the Puccini Mass came at the suggestion of the orchestra’s concertmaster, Kirsten Norvell. “Kirsten plays in the Vancouver Symphony, and they recently performed the Mass. Of course, I was somewhat familiar with it already, but I was reminded of how beautiful it was,” Steighner said. “The Mass is actually a very early composition by Puccini, written long before he became famous for operas like La Boheme or Madame Butterfly. Still, it sounds like a Puccini opera. It’s melodic, inspiring, touching and uplifting.”

Steighner said that although Puccini’s Messa di Gloria is a setting of the Catholic liturgy, it isn’t a “sacred” composition written for church services. “By Puccini’s time, composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Berlioz and many others had written Masses for the concert hall, using the words of the Mass for their structure, beauty and drama.” Although Puccini’s family included church organists and others connected to the Church, his Mass was strictly secular.

The Gorge Sinfonietta is partnering with the Voci Community Choir for Puccini’s Mass. New Voci director Dan Kenealy, and music director at Hood River Valley High since Steighner’s retirement in 2015, is not only preparing the choir but will perform as the Mass’s baritone/bass soloist. “Over the years, Voci and Sinfonietta have joined forces for amazing concerts of the Beethoven 9th, the Mozart Requiem and others, and the concerts tend to be standing room only events.” Steighner said that under Dan’s enthusiastic leadership, the Voci Choir has continued to grow. “There will be well over 100 musicians on the stage,” Steighner said. 

The Puccini Messa di Gloria is only part of the program, which also includes the overture to Verdi’s opera La Forza del Destino and the famous Adagio by Baroque composer Albinoni. Steighner said that the Verdi overture is “brilliant and full of drama.” Despite Verdi’s fame as an opera composer, few of his opera overtures are played in the concert hall. Rounding out the program is Albinoni’s Adagio. “I saw a list of ‘The Top Ten Most Romantic Pieces of Classical Music,” Steighner said. “We’ll, I’m not sure that’s true, but for certain the Adagio is beautiful and very recognizable. It has been used in over 40 films.”

The Passion of Italy receives performances on Friday, March 8 at 7 PM and on Sunday, March 10 at 2 PM. Both performances are in the Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center, 3000 Wy’east Rd in Odell. Tickets are available at gorgeorchestra.org.  Adults: $25, CGOA members: $15
Students/Youth: FREE (HS & College students show ID at the door)

The concerts are part of a season that includes a number of upcoming performances by the Jazz Collective Big Band, Sinfonietta, Stages Musical Theatre and the Voci Choir. The concerts are supported in part by this season’s headline sponsor, Columbia Gorge Toyota and Honda. 

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and presenting musical performances of the highest quality in the Columbia River Gorge region. With a commitment to artistic excellence and education, the Association brings the joy of music to audiences of all ages.