Performances + Events
Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra Presents: Va Pensiero – A Symphonic Jazz Exploration of Timeless Italian Arias
Jordan Hall
Free
In-Person Event
Open to the Public
Va Pensiero: A Symphonic Jazz Exploration of Timeless Italian Arias
Join us for a captivating evening of Italian opera and jazz. This grand premiere will feature an extraordinary collaboration of remarkable talents across jazz, gospel, and classical music. Presented by Marco Pignataro and the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Julius P. Williams, this concert is part of the Festival of Italian Creativity 2024, sponsored by the Italian Consulate of Boston.
The Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra will perform alongside an extraordinary jazz quintet featuring legendary bassist Ron Carter, saxophone virtuoso Joe Lovano, the masterful pianist Kenny Werner, versatile drummer Ron Savage, and Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro, the Artistic Director of Va Pensiero. The Reverence Gospel Choir, directed by Maestro Dennis Montgomery III, will add their powerful voices to this remarkable ensemble. Together, they will present innovative renditions of classic Italian arias, with brand new original arrangements by Andre Sudol, blending orchestral, gospel, and jazz elements. The program will also include the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra’s interpretation of Italian opera classics, breathing new life into these timeless works.
The renowned classical soprano Dana Lynne Varga will be joining us as a very special guest, adding her exceptional voice to this already stunning collaboration.
The phrase Va Pensiero comes from the famous chorus “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate” (“Go, thought, on golden wings”) in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Nabucco, expressing a longing for freedom and themes of exile and hope. Don’t miss this unique musical experience where tradition meets innovation, bringing together some of the finest musicians and composers in a celebration of Italian creativity and culture.
Jamie Davis Ponce, Producer and Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra Managing Director
Doug Harrison, Production assistant
Join us for a captivating evening of Italian opera and jazz. This grand premiere will feature an extraordinary collaboration of remarkable talents across jazz, gospel, and classical music. Presented by Marco Pignataro and the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Julius P. Williams, this concert is part of the Festival of Italian Creativity 2024, sponsored by the Italian Consulate of Boston.
The Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra will perform alongside an extraordinary jazz quintet featuring legendary bassist Ron Carter, saxophone virtuoso Joe Lovano, the masterful pianist Kenny Werner, versatile drummer Ron Savage, and Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro, the Artistic Director of Va Pensiero. The Reverence Gospel Choir, directed by Maestro Dennis Montgomery III, will add their powerful voices to this remarkable ensemble. Together, they will present innovative renditions of classic Italian arias, with brand new original arrangements by Andre Sudol, blending orchestral, gospel, and jazz elements. The program will also include the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra’s interpretation of Italian opera classics, breathing new life into these timeless works.
The renowned classical soprano Dana Lynne Varga will be joining us as a very special guest, adding her exceptional voice to this already stunning collaboration.
The phrase Va Pensiero comes from the famous chorus “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate” (“Go, thought, on golden wings”) in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Nabucco, expressing a longing for freedom and themes of exile and hope. Don’t miss this unique musical experience where tradition meets innovation, bringing together some of the finest musicians and composers in a celebration of Italian creativity and culture.
Jamie Davis Ponce, Producer and Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra Managing Director
Doug Harrison, Production assistant
Artist(s)
Ron Carter, bass
Joe Lovano & Marco Pignataro, saxophone
Kenny Werner, piano
Ron Savage, drums
Dana Lynne Varga, classical soprano
Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra
Julius P. Williams, conductor
Berklee Reverence Gospel Choir
Dennis Montgomery III, director
Andre Sudol, arranger
Marco Pignataro, Artistic Director
