Featuring works by three of the greatest fathers of composing: Beethoven, Bach, and “Papa”Haydn

Currently in its 21^th season and past recipient of the ArtsWestchester Arts Organization of the Year Award, Taconic Opera will be hosting its annual chamber program – The Fathers - on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 3:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Kisco, 605 Millwood Road (Route 133), Mt. Kisco, NY. Maestro Jun Nakabayashi, Taconic Opera’s Conductor and Music Director, will once again emerge from the orchestra pit to conduct the concert which features the Taconic Opera Chamber Orchestra and concert pianist, Kessa Mefford. This ambitious program will include works by three composers who changed the course of musical composition during their lifetimes: Beethoven, Bach, and Haydn. What a glorious way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Pianist Kessa Mefford, whose career includes local, national and international recital performances, is returning to perform Beethoven’s magnificent Piano Concerto No. 2 with the orchestra. Beethoven himself used the piece to demonstrase his skills as a virtuoso pianist, so expect sparks to fly. Johann Sebastian Bach’s contribution to the program is his Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Considered one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of organ music in history, Maestro Nakabayashi has ingeniously re-designed it specifically for the Taconic Opera Chamber Orchestra, and the audience will enjoy its premiere performance. Franz Joseph “Papa” Haydn earned none other than the title of father of the symphony. The composer’s Symphony No. 78 will not disappoint both past and future fans of his music.

Jun Nakabayashi is a masterful and charismatic conductor who has been active in both the symphonic and operatic fields for more than three decades. In addition to serving as Music Director of Taconic Opera for the past 18 years, he has conducted for several other opera and orchestral companies in Europe and throughout the U.S. His total repertoire consists of over 100 symphonic works and 30 operas. Maestro Nakabayashi also currently serves on the faculty of the acclaimed Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale where he conducts the Festival Orchestra and gives classes in conducting.

Tickets for this event are $27, $20 for seniors and $15 for students and can be purchased in advance online at www.taconicopera.org, at the door, or by calling Taconic Opera’s toll-free number (855) 886-7372.