Folks of a certain age might recall “Night at the Opera” as the name of a best-selling Queen record — the one with “Bohemian Rhapsody” on it. For those a bit older, that title also invokes the Marx Brothers’ classic comedy from 1935.
But for Lycoming County music fans this spring, it means another exciting free concert by the world-famous Repasz Band.
Slated for 7:30 p.m. on April 8 at the Community Arts Center, “A Night at the Opera” presents a broad range of opera selections — from lesser-known gems to more familiar tunes like “Figaro” and “Barber of Seville.”
“While audience members may not recognize all the titles,” says Repasz Director Jeff Dent, “the music will bring a smile of recognition — perhaps even a chuckle, recalling memories of classic movie scores, commercials and even some Looney Tunes.”
Dent will conduct the opening “Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by John Philip Sousa’s lively “Hail to the Spirit of Liberty” (written for the unveiling of a Lafayette statue in Paris) — and then by Mozart’s “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro.”
The latter has been featured in “Mad Men,” “Zombieland,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “The King’s Speech” and “The Shawshank Redemption.” According to concert program notes, Mozart’s piece was composed just two days before opening night and is a stand-alone work; in contrast to most overtures, it doesn’t contain a single melody from the opera itself.
Following “Figaro,” associate director Jessica Lewis will take the baton for the rousing, Spanish-flavored “El Gato Montes” — and for von Suppe’s “Light Cavalry Overture,” arranged by march master Henry Fillmore.
Assistant conductor Theo Lentz will then lead the ensemble through “Polka & Fugue from Schwanda, the Bagpiper” and Saint-Saens’ rip-roaring “Danse Bacchanale,” from his opera “Samson and Delilah.”
With Dent resuming the podium, both Lentz and Lewis will feature as soloists on a clever 1970 arrangement of Gioachino Rossini’s “Figaro,” followed by another Rossini selection: “Overture to the Barber of Seville” — familiar even to non-opera fans from its use by Tom & Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, “The Simpsons,” the Beatles, Bugs Bunny & Elmer Fudd and the movie “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
As always, the concert will conclude with the group’s beloved “Repasz Band March,” conducted by Dent. For that selection, the ensemble will be joined onstage by winners of the annual Repasz Band Senior Awards, given to eight high school seniors — one from each district in Lycoming County:
Alexis Boyer (Montgomery); Hailey Copson (Williamsport); Jacob Edmonds (Loyalsock); Emilee Eisner (Jersey Shore); Khloe Rising (Muncy); Lewis Shaffer (South Williamsport); Shaw Simpson (Montoursville); and Zachary Yost (East Lycoming).
Free and open to the public, “A Night at the Opera” is sponsored by Journey Bank and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette (quartet level); UMPC and “a friend” (duet); and, at the highest level, Lycoming Engines. Fittingly, this concert also features “Lycoming Motor March,” a tune that Williamsport native and Repasz trumpeter John Hazel wrote in honor of this very company over 100 years ago.
The band has a vigorous summer concert schedule, preceded by a two separate joint performances: first, with the Lock Haven University Band at 7:30 p.m. on April 24 (at the Price Performance Center on campus); and then with the Williamsport Civic Chorus at 7:30 p.m. on April 29 — also at the CAC.
More information is available at repaszband.org.
