Sinfonietta 30th Anniversary Celebration opens Sept. 23

The Louisiana Sinfonietta is celebrating its 30th anniversary during the 2012-13 season, which opens at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, in the LSU School of Music Recital Hall, Dalrymple Drive on campus.

This chamber orchestra, under the direction of Dinos Constantinides, will present works by Anotonio Vivaldi, W.A. Mozart, Alan Hovhaness and Dinos Constantinides.

Pianist Maria Asteriadou has been invited to perform, along with four soloists associated with LSU.

LSU trumpet professors Brian Shaw and James West will open the program with a concerto by Vivaldi, and LSU violin professor Espen Lilleslaten will perform Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No. 5.”

John Metcalf will perform Hoyhaness’ “Overture Op. 76.” Metcalf is an LSU alumnus and trombone professor at Kutztown University.

Finally, Asteriadou will perform the final two pieces, including Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 12,” and the world premiere of Constantinides’ “Piano Concerto No. 2.” This concerto has been written especially for the celebration of the Sinfonietta’s 30th year.

Asteriadou, a native of Greece, has established herself as a well-known piano soloist and chamber musician in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Asteriadou holds degrees from the Conservatory in Thessaloniki and from the Musikhochschule in Freiburg. She received her master of music degree from the Juilliard School and her doctorate’s degree from Manhattan School of Music, where she serves as a member of the faculty. She also is a faculty member at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

Asteriadou is an acclaimed soloist and chamber musician highly praised as an artist with intense personality, virtuosic flair, and beautiful tone. She has performed in major halls through the United States, Canada, and Europe, including Carnegie Hall.

As for soloist Metcalf, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in music at Jacksonville State University, a master of music degree in performance, a master of music degree in composition and a doctor of musical arts degree from LSU.

As a member of the faculty at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania since 1990, Metcalf directs the Brass Ensemble, as well as teaching applied lessons in composition, euphonium and tuba.

He also manages the Department of Music Technology Lab, the Electronic Music Studio and the Recording Studios for the Department of Music as well as coordinating all music technology performances and study in the music curriculum.

Lilleslatten is an associate professor of violin at LSU, a position he took in 2009. He previously served 15 years as the concertmaster of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway.

Lilleslatten also performs as a chamber musician and has participated in music festivals worldwide. He performs regularly with his wife, violinist Renata Arado.

Season tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.louisianasinfonietta.org or at the door for $70. Individual tickets are $15 and are available at the door.

For more information, call (225) 578-4010 days or (225) 766-3487 evenings.

Louisiana Sinfonietta