By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter, karan@nasguard.com

For years the Nassau Music Society has been urging Bahamians to get more "in-tune" with their classical side and many are still trying. If you're truly interested in trying, you can at the Bahamas Concert Orchestra & Chorus Concert on Saturday, May 3.

Held under the directorship of JoAnne Connaughton, this event will feature the Vivaldi Double Violin Concerto with two international soloists, Alexandre Da Costa and Martine Cardinal, and highlights from the Vivaldi Gloria, RV 589 featuring the Bahamas Concert Orchestra Chorus (BCO).

Alexandre Da Costa is flying to Nassau between concerts in Madrid and Tokyo to perform just because he wants to support Bahamas Concert Orchestra.

"He and Martine will perform the Vivaldi Double Violin Concerto in A minor with the strings of the BCO and additional young string players coming on a cultural exchange from the Jardin des Violins, Montreal. This is a short but delightful work," says Connaughton. "From one piece of Vivaldi to another, extracts from the "Gloria", one of Vivaldi's most popular works, featuring the BCO chorus who couldn't be left out of our showcase concert. They will perform three of the most exciting choruses — "Gloria", "Domine Fili Uni Genite", and the final chorus, "Cum Sancto Spiritu".

Nikita Wells and Catherine Conliffe will also perform the beautiful soprano duet, "Laudamus Te"."

The second half of the program is dedicated to a single, spectacular work: "Peter vs. the Wolf". An exceptionally clever comedy sequel to the original work by Prokofiev.

With five actors taking the roles of Peter, the wolf, the judge, the district attorney and the court reporter, the tale takes up just after the original ends. The wolf has escaped from the zoo and finds himself in our concert theater. He will plead his case with the audience and will try to convince you that he is, in fact, an innocent wolf, he really didn't eat that duck.

Dion Johnson, as the wolf, will take you back through the trial that convicted him of "duckicide in the first degree" featuring James Catlyn as judge and Bonny Byfield as the district attorney.

"As the testimony is presented you will hear all of the original and beautiful story and music by Prokofiev. It will be performed by the Bahamas Concert Orchestra, and interspersed by humorous cross-questioning of the witnesses who are called to the stand," adds Connaughton. "At the end it is for you to decide ... is he an innocent wolf?"

"This program has something to appeal to everyone, stunning international superstars, popular music from Vivaldi and a comedy to keep you all laughing. But whilst you are enjoying yourself, you will be supporting the development of the Bahamas Concert Orchestra and our education programs. This is our gala fundraising concert and the money we raise through this concert helps us to train many young musicians; our orchestral apprentices, and a host of young players who dream of joining the BCO in the future."

The show is expected to begin at 7:30 pm. It will be held at Atlantis Theatre, located in the Coral Towers. Admission is $75. Tickets can be purchased at Custom Computers, or HG Christie. Tel: 327-7668 or 466-8094 for more information.

Orchestra & Chorus Concert

Venue: Atlantis Theatre, Coral Towers

Tickets: $75

Outlets:

Custom Computers, East Bay

HG Christie, Shirley Street