It may still be the holiday season, but Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO) is unplugging the Christmas machine and prepping for the new year Italian style. On Friday, the organization will present ‘A Night In Italy,’ featuring great italian arias and Italian food at the Hyatt Regency Houston West.
The exciting and Romantic Italian music, composed by the likes of Rossini, Puccini, Verdi, Donizetti and more, will be punctuated by tenor Rueben Erazo and soprano McKenzie Garey. All tickets include wine, Italian appetizers and pastries starting at 6:30 p.m.
“We made the decision early on with ECHO that we were not going to do another Christmas concert, because everybody does it,” said Mike Fahey, artistic director. “They’re beautiful, but why do we want to compete with 85 other groups all over town doing that? We decided to do something different and celebrate ‘not Christmas’ because Christmas is specific to a particular group of people; but New Year’s is fairly universal, and so I felt like celebrating New Year’s would bring in more interest.”
In addition, the program hits close to home for Fahey.
“Being half Italian, I grew up celebrating holidays with music, and a lot of it was Italian folk music,” he said. “Then, as a young adult, I was introduced to the classical music world, and I discovered that my own people are responsible for a very large swath of beautiful classical music that is also incredibly appealing.”
The timing fits right into ECHO’s wheelhouse and its overarching goal: to bring classical works that allure all levels of enthusiasts.
“The mission of ECHO, in my view, is to bring appealing and interesting, very classical works and to bring music to people on a level that they can appreciate and understand while keeping it interesting for the musicians,” he said. “The Italian tradition is a perfect way to celebrate joy and happiness through a culture that does that all the time.”
The program he settled on? The 60 minutes of music include “The La Gazza Ladra Overture,” “The Godfather,” “Carnival of Venice,” “Una Furtiva,” “O Sole Mio, Sorrento,” “Nessun Dorma,” “Siempre Libera,” “Intermezzo Cavalaria Rusticana,” “Un Bel Di,” Italian folk festival music, “Bella Ciao” and the “William Tell Overture.”
Fahey suggests that patrons come early and eat at the Hyatt Regency Houston West Cafe on the Lake and enjoy the Koi pond before heading to the show. Pre-concert entertainment is by pianist Mary Peterson in the lobby before the show.
Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra presents ‘A Night In Italy’ with appetizers at 6:30 and a show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Decemeber 27 at Hyatt Regency Houston West, 13210 Katy Freeway. For tickets or information, visit ECHOrchestra.org. $50-$90.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
