Did you know that in his time, Beethoven was as well known for his piano playing as he was for composing?

At Crescendo, the Cape Symphony & Conservatory gala on May 10, we’re excited to have Jimmy Tingle as our emcee and auctioneer.

How did the roles of concertmaster and conductor evolve? Let’s take a trip through musical history. Early composers routinely performed their own works, usually playing the harpsichord and leading the orchestra from that seat, acting as “conductor” through the music. Orchestras were quite small, more like what would be called chamber orchestras today, making it easier to conduct and play.

When you hear amazing music at a rock concert, a Broadway show, or a jazz club, you applaud, right? Everyone does. These days, people even clap in church when a choir sings beautifully. But what about a concert hall? Should you clap when you feel like it?

Our guest artist for the upcoming Beethoven Unleashed is one of the most exciting artists to emerge in recent years. Pianist Martina Filjak is garnering international praise for her poetic passion and technical mastery at the keyboard as well as for her charismatic personality and magnetic stage presence.

The talented cast of The Wizard of Oz in Concert has been hard at work rehearsing for this weekend’s performance. From left to right above (photographed during a rehearsal break at the Cotuit Center for the Arts), Anthony Teixiera portrays the Tin Man as well as his Kansas counterpart Hickory; Keirnon McDermott is the Scarecrow and Hunk; Jessica Curran takes on the iconic role of Dorothy; and the Cowardly Lion/Zeke is Jeffrey Clonts – note his “tail”!