Symphoria: Sweet Treats and Sweeter Songs
By Daniel Wilde
Symphoria charmed its audience last Saturday night with an evening of music, romance, and sweets. Billed as a Valentine’s Day celebration, Syracuse’s premier orchestra put on a lovely performance at Inspiration Hall, performing their program “Symphony of Desserts,” part of the Spark Series.
Making his Symphoria conducting debut, Herb Smith, an Eastman School of Music graduate, led the orchestra and audience through each piece wearing a silky black suit and rose-red ascot. With an air of celebration, he introduced each piece cheerfully, constantly reminding us of what the night was all about: love. He made topical references and jokes, comparing some songs to “Looney Tunes,” and joking that if we were not sat next to our significant other perhaps if we looked around we may be able to find one. Smith masterfully conducted the large orchestra, pulling the romantic emotion out of every selection.
The performance began with Italian composer, Gioachino Rossini’s “Overture to Barbiere di Siviglia.” Symphoria exhibited its tight-knit blend on this overture, setting the tone for the night. This was followed by Pietro Mascagni’s “Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana'' which did well to evoke the pining feeling of love. The most well known love story of all came next with the “Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture” from Tchaikovsky. Symphoria took us on the journey of these star crossed lovers by leaning into every flourish, hit, and crescendo. With a middle movement as familiar as the love story itself, this piece is truly a treat.
Coming back from intermission, the orchestra performed a very romantic “Walk to the Paradise Garden” by Frederick Delius from his opera “A Village Romeo and Juliet.” The woodwinds and horns were able to shine with this selection. This choice felt as a more optimistic take on love, opposed to the darker undertones in the Tchaikovsky. Soaring horns made me feel as though maybe our lovers would make it to “happily ever after” after all.
The evening’s performance closed with two medleys, “Titanic, Music from the Film” by James Horner arranged by Calvin Custer and “My Fair Lady Selections” by Frederick Loewe. The inclusion of these two selections was a smart choice which made the evening more accessible to an ear less inclined to classical music. Symphoria’s strings did well to impersonate Celine Dion during the classic “My Heart Will Go On.” Many heads bobbed along to “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “I Could’ve Danced All Night” featured in the My Fair Lady medley. This final piece provided a lighthearted energy perfect to sign off on.
The night ended, as I believe all concerts should, with a dessert. In partnership with local bakery Rai’s Dough, each audience member left with a carefully wrapped raspberry cupcake. As if the performance was not sonically sweet enough, exiting with this delicious treat was the perfect exclamation point on a saccharine Valentine’s date with Symphoria.