Baroque to Broadway promises to be a spectacular afternoon of music where the rich traditions of the Baroque era collide with the vibrant energy of Broadway.
World-class soloists, soprano Judit Molnar and highly skilled violinist, Frank Fodor, are poised to bring to life timeless masterpieces by Vivaldi and Handel plus popular Broadway show tunes.
The Coast-based soloists will be supported by Noosa’s symphony orchestra under the baton of conductor Antoni Bonetti.
Fodor will lead the audience on an evocative violin solo journey beginning with Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons in the first half of the concert. Fodor’s fast arpeggios, precise staccato notes and dramatic use of contrasting dynamics skilfully combine to evoke the biting cold and harsh winds of winter.
In the second half, Fodor will perform Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, guiding listeners into a supernatural waltz as Death calls spirits to dance. Feel winter’s chill and the eerie allure of the afterlife as Fodor plays this spooky violin solo.
Molnar is set to make spirits soar singing pieces celebrating the beauty of the human voice and the power of song. From the passionate Baroque brilliance of Vivaldi’s Tornami a vagheggiar and Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim to the tender devotion of Caccini’s Ave Maria, the program promises to captivate all lovers of classical music. Augmenting the afternoon’s magic is the fiery allure of Bizet’s Habanera and the romantic charm of Lehar’s Vilja Song.
The concert will also celebrate iconic hits from musical theatre including a medley from The Sound of Music, Think of Me from The Phantom of the Opera, and the comedic, ambitious flair of Art is Calling for Me.
Pieces set to showcase the soprano’s virtuosity include:
· Let the Bright Seraphim – this aria requires vocal agility, precise coloratura and an ability to sustain high notes with clarity and brilliance. It’s been performed by famous sopranos: Joan Sutherland, Kathleen Battle and Renée Fleming.
· Tornami a vagheggiar – an aria well-known for its lively tempo and technically demanding coloratura passages. It demonstrates Molnar’s ability to navigate ornamented phrases and express the playful spirit of the piece.
· The Habanera is one of the most iconic arias from Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen, which takes inspiration from the Cuban dance style, the habanera, and imbues it with a sultriness and sense of the exotic. It demands not only vocal control and sultry expression but also the embodiment of Carmen’s sensual and independent persona.
· Art is Calling for Me – this aria is characterised by its witty lyrics, playful rhythm and sections that show off the soprano’s range and vocal ability. It requires not only technical skill but a strong comedic and theatrical presence.
Rounding out the evening are heartfelt performances of The Prayer and O Holy Night, promising a rich tapestry of music that spans centuries, genres, and emotions.
Event details:
What: Baroque to Broadway – a Noosa Orchestra spectacular with Christmas Carols
When: 2.30pm Sunday 1 December
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Hall (Noosaville)
Tickets: Adults $40 | Students (18+) $15 | School age $10 trybooking.com (plus booking fee) or $45 at the door (cash only).
