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Philharmonic keeps with holiday tradition
DAYTON — Certain elements of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra's annual Viennese New Year's Eve concert have become a traditional part of the evening's festivities since the concert's introduction to the Dayton holiday season 10 years ago. There are party favors and noise-makers, champagne (both alcoholic and non) at intermission, a balloon drop and a musical program of Viennese waltzes, polkas and operatic arias. Don't think, however, that the orchesta's Music Director and evening's Maestro Neal Gittleman is above tweaking the formula and stretching its boundaries a bit. A waltz, say, doesn't always have to be Viennese, if he thinks it will make a good addition to the program. And who says operatic arias have to be performed by an opera singer? While past holiday performances have indeed welcomed a variety of vocalists to the stage (first at Memorial Hall, and now at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center), this year's event offers something a little different. The DPO's Principal Trombonist Tim Anderson is set to show the lyrical side of his instrument as he takes the lead on a trio of opera arias. Given the light-hearted nature of the annual concert, one might also expect some trombone-related humor as well. The orchestra's Associate Concertmaster Aurelian Oprea (that's Oprea, not opera) also will be in the evening's spotlight, playing the solo for Massenet's Meditation. Having hosted an after-concert party at the Schuster Center for the past two years, the orchestra's staff decided to return this year to the original concert-only format, concluding the evening about 10 p.m. That's not to say, however, that there will be no party to be had. The Dayton Raquet Club, across the street from the Schuster in the Kettering Tower, is planning to host a post-concert event, complete with food, champagne, dancing and additional entertainment by the cover band Two Feet Shy. Some things are just traditional. Contact Carol Simmons at 225-7309, or by e-mail at csimmons@Dayton DailyNews.com.
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