Orchestra Honors Shakespeare, Cervantes

The Westmont Orchestra opens its 11th season celebrating the 400th anniversary of the deaths of literary greats William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in its fall concert Friday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in Westmont’s Page Hall and Sunday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church. Tickets, which cost $10 for general admission (students are free), may be purchased at the door. For more information, please contact the music department at (805) 565-6040 or email music@westmont.edu.

“We’re thrilled to be performing works that were made manifest in Shakespeare’s and Cervantes’ popular stage and film works from 50 years ago,” says orchestra director Michael Shasberger, Adams professor for music and worship. “We’ll be playing Nino Rota’s wonderful score of Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (1968) and Mitch Leigh’s dramatic musical theater rendition of ‘Man of La Mancha’ (1965).”

The orchestra will also perform the thrilling rhythmic energy of Jose Moncayo’s “Huapango,” and Beethoven’s revered Symphony No. 7.