Darko Butorac, conductor
Joshua Roman, cello
Artists have always been drawn to the troubling but profound notions of fate, destiny, and inevitability. Verdi’s La forza del destino explores destiny as an irresistible force bringing two lovers together only to wrench them apart through accidental deaths, tragic misunderstandings, and mistaken identities. The Awakening cello concert, composed and performed by Joshua Roman, reflects on a fateful journey from darkness and anger to personal rebirth through the support of others and the affirmation that no one is alone. Our final exploration of inevitability is Tchaikovsky’s relentless Fifth Symphony; suffused with emotional intensity, introspective depth, and undaunted optimism, the work is centered around a single compelling theme, intricately woven through each movement and rumored to be symbolic of the unrelenting call of fate itself.
Verdi: Overture from La forza del destino
Roman: Awakening
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5