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Tchaikovsky’s Fate

Naples Philharmonic Masterworks

Image of Alexander Shelley conductor of the Naples Philharmonic on stage during a performance
Image of Joshua Hopkins, baritone, in a promotional portrait
© Simon Pauly
Image of Alexander Shelley, conductor of the Naples Philharmonic on stage with members of the Naples Philharmonic during a performance
Image of members of the Naples Philharmonic on stage during a performance of classical music
Image of members of the Naples Philharmonic on stage during a performance of classical music
Image of members of the Naples Philharmonic on stage during a performance of classical music
Jan 30, 7:30pm — Jan 31, 7:30pm

   Hayes Hall

This event has taken place.

Event

Tchaikovsky’s Fate
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks


Naples Philharmonic
Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director
Joshua Hopkins, baritone

L. Boulanger — D’un soir triste
Jake Heggie — Songs for Murdered Sisters
Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 4

This season’s Storytelling theme delves into deeper emotions in this Masterworks program as Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley has crafted a deeply moving experience that will not be forgotten any time soon.

A look at the background of the three pieces to be performed should give patrons an idea of what’s in store: Lili Boulanger was 24 and dying of tuberculosis when she wrote D’un soir triste (On a Sad Evening). Jake Heggie composed Songs for Murdered Sisters specifically for this evening’s special guest, Joshua Hopkins, a baritone whose sister was one of three Canadian women murdered by the same man in 2015. And Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony tricks us into believing the gloom of the symphony’s beginning is about to clear, only to shatter expectations. Is the piece expressing the guilt and shame over taboo desires the composers could not suppress, or was he simply battling another bout of depression? 

Boulanger’s D’un soir triste (On a Sad Evening) utilizes complex cross rhythms and a dense harmonic structure to convey a dark premonition and inconsolable despair, likely the composer’s own sense of impending death. In fact, the handwriting on the original manuscript became weaker and weaker, until it was nearly impossible to make out the notes, as the composer inched toward her demise. 

The impetus for Jake Heggie’s Songs for Murdered Sisters arose in the fall of 2015, shortly after a Canadian man went on a killing spree, murdering three ex-partners in their separate homes. One of the women murdered was Nathalie Warmerdam, the sister of this evening’s special guest, baritone Joshua Hopkins, who, after the murder, set out on a journey to raise awareness of the global epidemic of gender-based violence. Struck by his efforts, world-famous opera composer Heggie agreed to write the music while best-selling author Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale), wrote the words for the tender, powerful and tragic eight-song piece.

In the evening’s final segment, Tchaikovsky opens his Fourth Symphony with the horns of fate, a force that prevents us from attaining a life of bliss. The composer then toys with listeners by introducing a passage that is full of triumph and joy. This fleeting moment is quickly overshadowed as Tchaikovsky returns to the somber melody, as if to say that “Life is not perfect, happiness is short-lived and, if you can’t find joy in yourself, embrace the joy of others.” 

Prelude at 6:30pm
Join the conductor before the performance for an insightful 30-minute prelude discussion about the program.

Music and Museum
All Masterworks tickets include same-day admission to The Baker Museum. Museum hours on day of performance: 10am-7:30pm. In addition, the doors to Hayes Hall will open 90 minutes prior to this performance. Arrive early to enjoy the exhibitions and light fare available at Heidi's Place.

The Artistic and Music Director position is generously endowed by Sharon and Timothy Ubben.

The January 30 performance is generously sponsored by the Canadian Friends of Artis—Naples.

Tickets start at $29.

Naples Philharmonic

Naples Philharmonic


Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.

  Meet the Musicians


Alexander Shelley

Artistic and Music Director  Meet Alexander

Jack Everly

Principal Pops Conductor   Meet Jack

James Ehnes

Artistic Partner   Meet James

Manuel López-Gómez

Associate Conductor   Meet Manuel

Alvin Ho

Assistant Conductor   Meet Alvin

Alexander Shelley

Alexander Shelley
Sharon and Timothy Ubben Artistic and Music Director


Alexander Shelley was named Sharon and Timothy Ubben artistic and music director in April 2023. Alexander begins his tenure in this role in the 2024-25 season following a successful designate year through the 2023-24 season. As artistic and music director of Artis—Naples, Alexander provides artistic leadership for the entire multidisciplinary organization, including The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic.

This appointment marks Alexander’s first titled position in the U.S. In addition to his role with Artis—Naples, Alexander remains music director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and principal associate conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra — positions he has held since 2015.

  Meet Alexander

Joshua Hopkins

Joshua Hopkins


Known as one of the finest singer-actors of his generation, JUNO-winning and Grammy-nominated Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins has established himself as a prominent leading artist throughout the U.S. and Canada.

His most personal work, Songs for Murdered Sisters, is a song cycle by composer Jake Heggie and author Margaret Atwood, conceived by Hopkins in remembrance of his sister, Nathalie Warmerdam. In 2023, he gave the live world premiere of the work’s orchestral version with Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Shelley.

Hopkins made his Metropolitan Opera debut in Turandot. Other notable performances have included a new production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda for the Metropolitan Opera and his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as Tadeusz in The Passenger.

Past concert engagements have included his European concert debut with the Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias in Spain, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall the New York Philharmonic.

Over the years, Hopkins has won numerous awards and distinctions, including a JUNO Award for a recording of Massenet’s Thaïs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Verbier Festival Academy’s Prix d’Honneur and the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award.

Program Book

Program Book


View this month's program book to get general information about Artis—Naples and to read articles about this month’s activities. View the program insert* for specific information about this event.

  Program Book
  Program Insert

* Program inserts will be available online approximately ten days prior to the event.

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