Vermont Symphony Orchestra

Scott and I all set up for a lovely dinner and concert

The musicians are tuning up and almost ready to start

Looking away from the concert hall, many people sat in
large family/friend groups socializing and eating before
the evening program.

During the second piece a light rain began to fall and
umbrellas appeared

The woman on the right doesn't seem to mind the rain - it
hasn't disturbed her nap! Check out the hardy gentleman
behind her using his jacket creatively. (tap on the photo
to enlarge it)

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO.org) was founded in 1934 by Alan Carter and he led them for over 40 years. After only two other music directors, Efrain Guigui and Kate Tamarkin, Jaime Laredo, the famous violinist, took over in 2000. It is the oldest state supported orchestra in the country. They give over 45 annual concerts all over the state and 176 school performances. It became quite famous nationally when it performed in each of the state's 251 cities and towns between 1984 and 1986. They don't have a home concert hall - the whole state is their venue.
This is our second summer series evening - last year it was at Okemo Resort and this year at the Polo grounds at Quechee. The orchestra gives 8 outdoor performances in their Summer Festival Tour.



The program, with Anthony Princiotti as conductor, was:

SMITH Star Spangled Banner
DVORAK Carnival Overture
HANDEL Overture from Music for the Royal Fireworks
BERLIOZ Ballet Music from Les Troyens
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV The Kalendar Prince from Scheherazade
MEYERBEER Coronation March from Le Prophète
ELLINGTON, arr. CUSTER Duke Ellington!
RODGERS, arr. BENNETT The King and I
TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture

We arrived an hour and a half before the program and set up our picnic dinner. Many larger groups had already set up elaborate meals and were enjoying the perfect lawn set out in front of the tent covered stage. Our meal was potato and crabmeat salads with lettuce and tomatoes. This was accompanied by a gin and tonic first and a glass of white wine during dinner. I made a fresh fruit salad for dessert and happily the only food booth was ice cream, so we added some sorbet. Mid way through the second piece light rain began to fall. Resilient Vermonters all, no one left. Instead folks opened up their umbrellas or snuggled into their rain jackets and continued to enjoy the concert. The showers were brief however and only a few people got really wet. It was a warm evening so no damage done.
As the 1812 overture began, we noticed some bustling activity near the edge of the field and soon, on cue, the fireworks began. How marvelous! The pyrotechnics lasted through that piece and the next two shorter encores. Everyone clapped on time and cheered. What a wonderful late Fourth of July moment!