Five of the region's leading cultural institutions -- the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery; the Phillips Collection; Corcoran Gallery of Art; National Gallery of Art; and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - as well as prominent visual artists, have joined with he Alexandria Symphony Orchestra to meld the drama and style of the visual arts with the power and poetry of music. The result is the Orchestra's dynamic season, titled "Listen to the Art, Envision the Music,"described by the symphony as a fusion of the arts which delivers a concert experience unlike any ever before presented. This is the first collaboration of this magnitude between an area symphony and the D.C. museums.
The first of these concerts, "Caliphs and Kings," on Oct. 2, featuring flamenco dance, singing and guitar, is inspired by the exhibit of the same name at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
As the opener for ASO's 61st season, this performance will merge music and art with the inspiration from the exhibition of "Caliphs & Kings: The Art and Influence of Islamic Spain" at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, which presents works dating from the time of the Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the eighth century to the final phase of Muslim life in Spain in the 16th century, emphasizing themes of longevity, continuity, and transmission in the Islamic decorative arts and sciences of medieval Spain.
This concert will entertain the audience not only with music, but also flamenco dance of Andalusian rhythms. It will feature the much acclaimed Flamenco guitar player and vocalist Marija Temo and dancers Anna Menendez and Edwin Aparicio.
Peter Fay, host of WETA's "Around Town," will explore the meaning of the "Caliphs & Kings" exhibit as it relates to this performance at his Concert Conversations at 7 p.m.
The Schlesinger Center is located at 3001 N. Beauregard Blvd., Alexandria. Tickets $40 to $80 with discounts for students and seniors and may be purchased by calling 703-548-0885. For more information, visit www.alexsym.org.