This preview has been provided by The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle.

The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, a performance-based organization serving the Triangle community, concludes its 2011-2012 concert season on Sunday, May 20 at the Carolina Theatre of Durham. The season finale will begin at 3:00 p.m. and feature guest artists Paperhand Puppet Intervention, as well as guest soloists Erica Dunkle, Timothy Sparks and Timothy Hill.

“The COT continually looks to stretch its reputation of providing audiences an unusual repertoire,” says David Lindquist, COT board director. “This holds true for our season finale, as we believe this is the North Carolina premiere of the de Falla opera.”

Titled “A Journey Through Spain,” the concert will include performances of:

  • Manuel de Falla’s “El Retablo de maese Pedro” (Master Peter’s Puppet Show)
  • Georges Bizet/Rodion Shchedrin’s “Carmen Suite”

Prior to the start of the concert, Lorenzo Muti, COT artistic director and conductor, will present a lecture on the creative gestation of de Falla’s opera, its literary sources and musical style.

The afternoon will also feature performances by the following professional soloists:

  • Erica Dunkle, the narrator – Raised in Los Altos, California, Dunkle has been living and performing in North Carolina since 2004. She is an active soloist, chamber musician and choral singer, with recent appearances with the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Greensboro Early Music, Mallarme Chamber Players and the Choral Society of Durham’s Historical Bach Series.
     
  • Timothy Sparks, tenor, Maese Pedro – Sparks has appeared with such organizations as the Israel Vocal Arts Institute, Operafestival di Roma, North Carolina Opera, the Triangle Opera and the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute. He is active as a soloist throughout North Carolina and the U.S. Sparks currently serves as an Instructor of Voice and Dictation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
     
  • Timothy Hill, Bass-Baritone, Don Quixote – Comfortable in both worlds of opera and musical theater, Hill has performed many staples of both repertories and received accolades for both his singing voice and stagecraft. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with The Collegiate Chorale singing selections from Bernstein’s “A White House Cantata” (as the Delegate from Virginia),and recently performed Wagner’s “Die Frist ist um from Der fliegende Holländer” with the Saint Joseph Symphony.

Tickets may be purchased at the Carolina Theatre of Durham box office, 309 West Morgan St., Durham, N.C., or by calling 919.560.3030. To emphasize its commitment to engaging young people with great classical music, the orchestra provides free seating at every concert to students of all ages.

About the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle: 
Since 1982, The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle has been received with genuine respect and enthusiasm by music critics and the community. Today, it is considered one of the finest professional ensembles in North Carolina and the Southeast. With its elite corps of musicians, the orchestra continues to present a well-chosen and unusual repertoire that delights audiences and evokes high praise from critics. That standard of excellence has become the hallmark of the orchestra and has distinguished each succeeding season. The 2011-2012 series marks its 29th concert season. For more information, visit www.thecot.org or call 919.360.3382.

About Paperhand Puppet Intervention:
Paperhand Puppet Intervention is dedicated to bringing many styles of puppetry and artistic expression to the Triangle area and the world. Formed in 1998 the organization strives to make work that inspires people, promotes social change, and is deeply satisfying for everyone involved. The puppet shows the organization creates are a synthesis of many art forms including (but not limited to): sculpting, painting, music, dance, improvisations, costume/set design and theater. Visit www.paperhand.org.