CES presents the Maryland Symphony Orchestra "Shakespeare in Symphony"

“Shakespeare in Symphony” brings the timeless stories of William Shakespeare to life through four stunning orchestral masterworks inspired by his plays.

Felix Mendelssohn’s Overture to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” sparkles with whimsy, grace and fairy‑like energy; as BBC writer Andrew Dickson observes, Mendelssohn evokes Shakespeare’s magical world without a single spoken word, even slipping in a playful musical nod to the hapless Bottom’s transformation into a donkey. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Overture to “Hamlet” offers a powerful symphonic reflection of the Prince of Denmark, conveying the drama, inner conflict and tragedy at the heart of the play. William Walton’s Suite from “Henry V,” drawn from his celebrated score for Laurence Olivier’s iconic film, stands as one of the great achievements in cinematic music, blending nobility, pageantry and emotional depth. Sergei Prokofiev’s Suite from “Romeo and Juliet” rounds out the program with sweeping, passionate music rich in lyrical beauty and vivid orchestration, capturing both the exhilaration and heartbreak of Shakespeare’s most famous love story.

Prior to the show, at 6:30 p.m., MSO Music Director, Elizabeth Schulze, will discuss the selections that will be performed and reveal insight on how each composer deftly transforms Shakespeare’s words into music. (Open to all ticket holders.)

The presentation of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is supported by the Community Trust Foundation’s Iris and Peter Halmos Community Fund and the Invest in Allegany County Fund; and by the FSU Foundation, Inc. CES is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and receives financial support from the Allegany Arts Council and the City of Frostburg.