For Hometown News
What do Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," the classical music comedy team of Igudesman & Joo and the National Symphony Orchestra of China have in common?
They're all part of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society's Winterfest weekend Jan. 25-27 at Peabody Auditorium and concerts the whole family will enjoy.
The celebration kicks off with "The Barber of Seville," Rossini's most famous opera, at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25.
When Count Alamaviva asks the clever Barber of Seville to help him win the beautiful Rosina, the result is a series of outrageous mistaken identities and ingenious plot twists with unforgettable melodies and irresistible comedy.
The renowned international opera company Teatro Lirico D'Europa travels with a 40-piece orchestra, and an English translation above the stage makes it easy to follow the story. A free pre-opera talk will be at 6 p.m. in the auditorium.
Igudesman & Joo are so white hot that Vanity Fair Magazine's 2012 year-end issue featured them in a piece written by James Bond, aka Sir Roger Moore. More than 30 million YouTube viewers can't be wrong and they've turned the inspired lunacy of musicians Igudesman & Joo into an Internet and international sensation. The duo takes the Peabody stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, with "A Little Nightmare Music."
The China National Symphony Orchestra makes its first appearance in Daytona Beach to wrap up Winterfest with a 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, matinee.
The orchestra performed at the 2008 Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing and now comes to Peabody with the melodic and moving Butterfly Lovers violin concerto. The concerto, the most famous in all Chinese music, tells the poignant story of two star-crossed lovers. The power and passion of Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 gives a rousing finish to the afternoon. Dr. Dallas Weekley gives a free pre-concert talk at 2 p.m. in the Peabody Rose Room.
For information, call (386) 253-2901 or visit www.dbss.org to view samples of the music and performers. For tickets, visit Peabody Auditorium Box Office, 600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach; call Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000; or online at www.dbss.org. Tickets range from $34-59.