RMSO: Celebration of Spring (Okotoks)

Join the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra for a truly spectacular welcome to Springtime!

With concerts at the Polaris Centre (in Balzac) and at Okotoks United Church, there is time and venue that is accessible for all!

Carlos Foggin, Conductor
Nansee Hughes, Coloratura Soprano
Magdalena von Eccher, Piano

Programme:

• Johann Strauss Jr: Frühlingsstimmen Waltz
• Glière: Concerto for Coloratura Soprano
• Mozart: Piano Concert #20 in d minor (K. 466)
• Schumann: Symphony #1 (Spring Symphony)

Magdalena von Eccher is being recognized as one of Canada’s finest musicians. Her performances as solo pianist, with orchestra, collaborating with singers, and in chamber music are earning the highest praise from fellow musicians and are loved by audiences. She has taught privately, in master class, and on faculty at the University of Lethbridge and McGill University. Since 2007 Magdalena has been a favourite at the Festival of the Sound in solo performances and in collaboration with artists such as James Campbell, Denis Brott, Marion Newman, Glen Montgomery and visual artist, Alan Stein. Magdalena is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music at McGill University under the guidance of Dr. Stéphane Lemelin. She is a recipient of the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

This season’s engagements include performances at the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto with soprano, Anna-Sophie Neher, McGill University, and concerto appearances with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra. An enthusiastic and engaging teacher and adjudicator, Magdalena resides in Calgary with her husband, Glen Montgomery.

Lyric Coloratura Nansee Hughes has performed a wide variety of operatic roles including Lillian, Atalanta, & Dew Fairy. As a concert soloist, Ms Hughes has sung Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, and Handel’s Messiah. Nansee has also performed for the Edmonton Polish Culture Society’s Gala welcoming the Polish Ambassador to Canada, Andrzej Kurnicki.

Nansee was a participant in the Centre for Operatic Studies in Italy (COSI) in 2014. In 2014, Nansee was selected as a participant in the Music Conference Alberta’s Ben Heppner Masterclass.

Ms. Hughes has been the recipient of many scholarships, including a scholarship to attend Opera NUOVA, a scholarship to attend COSI, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Scholarship for voice, the Diane Thorssen Award, and the Beryl Barnes Memorial Graduate Award.

Nansee received both her MMus and BMus from the University of Alberta.