Oakland Symphony Orchestra, Oakland Symphony Chorus to perform April 17 at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall

The Oakland Symphony Orchestra and Oakland Symphony Chorus, with special guests, bass-baritone soloist Evan Ross and members of the Lake Orion High School Choir, will present their gala season finale concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17 at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall.

Generously co-sponsored by the Oakland University Credit Union and conducted by Professors Gregory Cunningham and Michael A. Mitchell, the members of these ensembles will perform three works: 

• The dramatic Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique” by Piotyr Elich Tchaikovsky;

• The North American premiere of “Sleep” by Grammy award-winning composer Eric Whitacre (as arranged for orchestra and chorus by Jim Clement);

• The monumental Prologue to the opera “Mefistofele” by Arrigo Boito, featuring a 200+ member chorus, orchestra, balcony brass and special guest soloist, Evan Ross as Mefistofele.

“The members of the Oakland University Symphony Chorus are excited to return again to perform at Orchestra Hall,” said Mitchell, professor of music and director of choral activities at OU. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for our students to rehearse and perform in a world-class concert hall in the heart of Detroit. It’s a huge part of their educational experience at OU.”

Cunningham, music director of the Oakland Symphony and professor of instrumental conducting at OU, adds, “The opportunity for the entire music department to collaboratively perform in one of the country’s finest concert halls each year is a truly memorable experience for each member of the Oakland SMTD (School of Music, Theatre and Dance) community, and serves as an apex artistic experience for all involved”

Detroit’s Orchestra Hall is located at 3711 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, Mich.

Tickets are available at etix.com. Complimentary rush tickets are also available to Oakland University students at the box office up to one hour before the performance with a Grizz ID.