Tchivzhel Conducts Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky

Tchivzhel Conducts Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky
Peace Concert Hall
Saturday, February 6 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 7 at 3:00 pm

PROGRAM
Giuseppe Verdi: Overture to I vespri Siciliani
Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 “Italian”
Pyotr Iliych Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32, Capriccio Italien, Op. 45

CONDUCTOR
Edvard Tchivzhel, Music Director and Conductor Emeritus 

Welcome to an evening of vibrant storytelling led by Music Director Emeritus Edvard Tchivzhel, beginning with Giuseppe Verdi’s Overture to I vespri Siciliani. Its mix of lyrical charm and revolutionary tension has the same appeal as today’s character‑driven dramas and historical epics—stories where personal stakes collide with larger forces.

The program continues with Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, “Italian,” a work that radiates the sunlit warmth and effortless movement that modern audiences associate with Mediterranean travel and the universal desire for escape.

The mood turns more intense with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32, a gripping portrayal of forbidden love and emotional turmoil. Its dramatic sweep resonates with our current fascination for psychological romance and high‑stakes storytelling.

The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky’s lively Capriccio Italien, Op. 45, inspired by the composer’s time in Italy. Its festive rhythms and colorful energy echo the appeal of vibrant street festivals, global music mashups, and communal celebrations that continue to draw people together today. It’s joyful, spirited, and immediately accessible.

Together, these works show how themes of passion, escape, conflict, and celebration remain as relevant now as ever—brought to life through Maestro Tchivzhel’s expressive leadership and the orchestra’s dynamic sound.