Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra highlights local voices at Skidmore College

Special performance features Saratoga Voices and students

SARATOGA–In a collaborative performance with Skidmore College, the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra will be featuring special voices from the local community.

Guest artists from Saratoga Voices and Skidmore student artists will join SSSO’s third performance of the season, “A Legend of the Opera,” showcasing Johann Strauss’ English concert version of “Die Fledermaus.”

The collaborative show of song and voice will be performed at the Arthur Zankel Music Center 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17 in Saratoga Springs.

Senior artist-in-resident at Skidmore College and accomplished opera singer with Saratoga Voices, Sylvia Stoner, said “it is always a privilege to collaborate with this extraordinary ensemble of local musicians.” 

“In order to keep music in our schools, we have to keep music in our community and celebrate it. These exceptional local musicians have personal connections with students, schools and the greater Capital Region. They inspire others on and off the stage and this kind of impact is vital to the future of classical music,” Stone said.

Guest artists include Stoner (Rosalinda), Casey Gray (Alfred), Thomas Gunther (Eisenstein) and Andrew Burger (Frank).

Student artists performing are Jessica Byers (Adele), Maggie Besthoff (Ida), Ava Accorsi (Ida u/s), Johnny Mulcahy (Falke), Naomi Wagner (Prince Orlovsky) and Ben Harris (Dr. Blind). Award-winning broadcaster Walt Adams will also be featured as the narrator.

“Our Skidmore students are thrilled to collaborate with the orchestra. For some, this will be their operatic debut, and first exposure to the art form. We have a remarkable pool of talented singers at Skidmore and are excited to provide them with an opportunity to showcase their talents,” Stone said.

Saratoga Voices adds to the richness of this special SSSO performance. Recently known as Burnt Hills Oratorio Society, the classical choral group was founded in 1970 to gather talented singers to perform masterworks with orchestral accompaniment. In recent years, the 50-70-member chorus has diversified its repertoire to include holiday concerts and cabarets in a wider region.

“For many of us, we prioritize shopping at locally owned establishments to support small businesses. Similarly, we have to grow the arts in our communities to continue to cultivate appreciation and understanding of this art form,” Stone added about the performance.

Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at (518) 346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online visit atproctors.org. Children under 18 are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra is a part of Proctors Collaborative.