Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Concerts on the Square
Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes the Concerts on the Square schedule for summer. On Wednesdays at 7 p.m., the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra will perform pops selections with a guest artist at the Capitol Square's King Street corner. Concertgoers can spread blankets on the lawn as early as 3 p.m. on concert days, and picnicking is encouraged.
The summer 2013 lineup is as follows:
Wednesday, June 26
Guest artist: violinist David Cao, winner of the 2013 Young Artist Concerto Competition
This program features music inspired by fables and fairy tales, including Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, Resphigi's The Magic Toy Shop and excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty. Cao will cap off the concert with a performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor.
Wednesday, July 3
Guest artist: pianist Michael Mizrahi
This year's Independence Day program will include Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, as well as Lowden's Armed Forces Salute and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.
Wednesday, July 10
Guest artist: harmonica player Robert Bonfiglio
American classics are the focus of this concert, during which Bonfiglio will perform Arthur Benjamin's Harmonica Concerto and a medley of Gershwin tunes. Works by Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Stephen Foster and the Beach Boys are also on tap.
Wednesday, July 17
Guest artists: Madmen Across the Water - The Music of Elton John
This concert honors Rocket Man with his eponymous song, as well as hits such as "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Tiny Dancer" and "Circle of Life."
Wednesday, July 24
Guest artists: violinist David Cao, violinist Bethany A. Moss, cellist Isaac Bershady and pianist Rebecca Jin
Expect to find love in the air at this concert featuring romantic works such as Debussy's Clair de lune and the Waltz and Love Scene from Davis' Flesh & the Devil. But the most breathtaking work of the night might be Horizons, a piece by British musical prodigy Alexander Prior that four young soloists from Wisconsin will perform.
Wednesday, July 31
Guest artists: vocalists Bob Stillman, Le Ann Etheridge, Casey Kelly, Pat McInerney and Troy Engle
The orchestra will create a summery '70s vibe by performing tunes by John Denver and Dan Fogelberg with several different guest singers. Program highlights include "Annie's Song," "Sunshine on My Shoulders" and "Leader of the Band."
