William Shakespeare wrote that all the world’s a stage. This week the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will take the stage to perform classical music inspired by Shakespeare’s work.
Under the baton of guest conductor Morihiko Nakahara, the CSO will perform the works of three classical composers: Felix Mendelssohn, Sir William Walton and Sergei Prokofiev.
Mendelssohn’s ode to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Overture Opus 21, featuring wind chords, complements the mystical Shakespearean comedy that is rife with fairies, lovers, dreams and spells. The composer was not even 18 when he completed the opus.
While Mendelssohn was tapped as a genius in his youth, composer William Walton struggled into his adult career. In the earlier part of the 20th century, scoring a film was considered a composer’s curse, and Walton, an Oxford dropout, was called to do just that.
IF YOU GO
* What: “Symphonic Shakespeare.”
* When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 19.
* Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.
* Admission: $18-$79.
* Phone: 267-8583.
* Website: www.chattanoogasymphony.org.
His score to accompany Sir Laurence Olivier’s production of “Henry V” is the second piece that will be played at “Symphonic Shakespeare.” The five-movement suite was not performed for concertgoers until nearly 20 years after it was performed as part of the film. The music is a combination of the hushed and the triumphant — the overture features a flute cadenza and the end boasts a triumphant version of the Agincourt Hymn.
According to a news release: “The music is martial and triumphant, befitting a landmark victory in the history of a nation.”
One of Shakespeare’s greatest triumphs was “Romeo and Juliet,” a tragic tale of two young, star-crossed lovers. Under the regime of Stalin, Sergei Prokofiev composed a ballet based upon Shakespeare’s work. Prokofiev later drew upon the music he’d created for the ballet to create three suites for orchestra and a piano work.
“The repertoire will reach a very broad audience,” said CSO marketing director Katie Wilson, “and the Shakespeare theme will be something new for the season and exciting for the audience.”
Contact Holly Leber at hleber@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6391. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/hollyleber.