World Premiere in Windsor; timely Iranian music! 

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World Premiere in Windsor; timely Iranian music! 

Another first for the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO), a world premiere of an Iranian piece and over 90 singers performing in Farsi this weekend at the Capitol Theatre!

The WSO performs Iranian composer Farhad Poupel’s ancient love story, The Legend of Bijan and Manijeh. This story, hundreds of years old, is set to music and tells the tale of a strong woman and her prince. Poupel says, “the audience will experience a musical battle between lightness and darkness and the tranquility when the lovers are united. I’m looking forward to being in the audience to hear the performance.” 

Over 90 singers take the stage from the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus and the University of Windsor Singers, they willperform in Farsi with English translations projected over the Chorus.     

World Connections Through Music
Saturday November 19, at 7:30pm
Sunday November 20, at 2:30pm
The Capitol Theatre, Windsor ON
Tickets: www.windsorsymphony.com/event/world-connections/all/

Poupel and Maestro Franz were connected for this important event through Jeffrey Biegel, pianist. Biegel performs this beautiful piece with the WSO. Biegel says, “it is unusual to have a new work by an Iranian composer reflecting Persian history, but I asked Farhad for this specifically for piano, orchestra, and chorus and that the World Premiere be in Windsor, Ontario.

A Canadian orchestra and chorus, an American conductor, an American pianist, and an Iranian composer all working together. The story of Bijan and Manijeh through music, in native language, is a cultural bridge which, I believe is so significant at this time.”

Maestro Robert Franz says, “It is thrilling to have Farhad back and Jeffrey making his debut with the WSO in a performance of this incredible new piece. Connecting people through music allows us to bridge cultural divides which is a hallmark of our community. Paired with Shostakovich’s effervescent 9th Symphony this concert will most definitely be a cultural event!”

NEW this season… Curtain Call Conversations! Join Maestro Franz and guests Farhad Poupel and pianist Jeffrey Biegel after Saturday’s concert for an exclusive conversation, directly on stage!This gives patrons a chance to ask all those burning questions!

Also, after Sunday’s performance, the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra will chat with composer Farhad Poupel about another piece which they will perform later in this season.

Farhad Poupel, Jeffery Biegel, and Maestro Franz available for interviews on Wednesday evening, Thursday, and Friday.

For additional information or interviews please contact:
Monica Bunde, Manager, Marketing, Communications and Sales
Cell: 519-996-1336 | mbunde@windsorsymphony.com