Conway Symphony Orchestra to present ‘Ode to Joy’ today

CONWAY — The Conway Symphony Orchestra will present Beethoven’s Symphony No.

9 at 4 p.m. today in the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas.

More than 200 vocalists and four soloists will join the orchestra, under the direction of Israel Getzov, to present the symphony, known popularly as “Ode to Joy.”

Joining the orchestra will be the UCA Concert Choir, the UCA University Chorus, the Conway First United Methodist Church Choir, the Conway Men’s Chorus and the Signature Women’s Chorus of Searcy. Soloists will be Martha Antolik, Christine Donahue, Rob Holden and Wolfgang Oeste, all members of the UCA music faculty.

Single tickets range from $18 to $38 for adults, $6 for children/students and $10 for UCA faculty/staff. There is also a discount rate of $15 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available from the Reynolds box office at (501) 4503265 or online at www.uca. edu/tickets.

“No piece of music in human history has brought more people together than Beethoven’s 9th Symphony,” Getzov said. “His message is clear: Rather than focusing on what divides us, we must celebrate our common capacity for joy and brotherhood.”

Soloists Antolik, Donahue, Holden and Oeste are all experienced national and international performers.

Antolik, a mezzo-soprano, is an award-winning performer who has appeared as soloist with many regional orchestras and opera companies and has twice been a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions.

Donahue, a soprano and a recipient of international awards and grants, has performed with numerous opera companies throughout the United States, Canada and abroad, as well as in orchestra concert engagements.

Holden, a baritone, has been performing opera, oratorio and recitals throughout the world for the past 30 years, including leading roles in many operas, and has been acclaimed for his performances of new works on the recital stage.

Oeste, a tenor, sang leading tenor roles in numerous European opera houses and concert halls for 10 years, as well as performing in opera, concert and oratorio in Canada and the United States.

For more information on concerts and other programs, visit ConwaySymphony.org or call (501) 269-1066.