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Our Mission
Gateway Classical Music Society
was founded to foster excitement, appreciation and popularity for
classical music by presenting performances designed to achieve
impact and intimacy, and to provide opportunities for artists to
develop their skills and careers.
Our Philosophy
We are an organization dedicated to
bringing the thrill of great classical music performances to
audiences in city and suburban neighborhoods everywhere - not just
in the rarified precincts of large metropolitan concert halls, but
in houses of worship, theaters and other intimate settings. Gateway
presents high quality concerts of large music works, (opera,
symphony, oratorio) and highlights thereof, with intensity and
visceral impact.
Our aim is to make classical music
works of art more accessible to the public at large. We believe
there is great public hunger for the fruits of profound artistic
genius, irrespective of labels like ''classical.'' An example from
the world of visual art illustrates this point: In 1995, the
National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. presented a retrospective
exhibition of masterpieces by Johannes Vermeer. People from all
walks of life began lining up to see the paintings at 5:00 a.m. -
5:00 in the morning! In Germany, audiences hail the Berlin
Philharmonic with the ebullient enthusiasm that American audiences
lavish on rock and roll stars. Gateway believes that we can make a
difference in building that kind of popularity for classical music
in America.
History
Gateway has been
in existence since July of 2004 and, since that time, has
produced numerous masterworks under our Great Works of Art up
Close and Personal program in Connecticut and New York City with
the Gateway Orchestra, chorus and soloists acquired through
competitive audition. Beginning on October, 10, 2004 with our
inaugural performance of Verdi's Aida, Gateway has presented
performances, in New York City and Southern Connecticut, of
Aida, Carmen, the Verdi Requiem, Rigoletto, the Rossini Stabat
Mater, the Beethoven Ninth Symphony, the Mendelssohn Violin
Concerto, Madama Butterfly and numerous Highlights concerts of
orchestral works, opera arias and ensembles.
Audience Response
After our inaugural performance of
Aida, a young man exclaimed, ''Wow! I had no idea opera could
be like this. I was blown away.'' A woman who insisted her reluctant
husband attend Aida reported, ''His whole personality
changed. He couldn't wait to clap and yell 'bravo' at every possible
opportunity. I've never seen him so excited by a concert.'' A young
woman who took her grandparents to see the Verdi Requiem said, ''They usually fall asleep at concerts but they were both
sitting there with their eyes wide open the whole time and said
afterwards that it was the best thing they'd ever heard.''
Artistic Director and Conductor
Ida Angland is
the Artistic Director and Conductor for Gateway Classical Music
Society. Characterized as having ''inner genius,'' ''flair''
''idealism'' and ''grit,'' Ida Angland's track record of
outstanding performances described in reviews as ''thrilling,''
''compelling,'' ''a revelation,'' ''unforgettable,'' and
''amazing'' speaks for itself. Ida Angland's commitment to
providing opportunities for deserving artists and connecting the
public to high art on a powerful level has, through her
leadership, enabled Gateway to produce Great Works of Art Up
Close and Personal as well as implement other programs for
the advancement of music and of artists.
Our Programs
Great
Works of Art Up Close and Personal
This program features large works of art (operas,
symphonies and oratorios) presented in somewhat smaller than
conventional venues. Being in closer proximity to the orchestra
and other artists creates an intimate, musically and
dramatically heightened experience.
Masterworks Illuminated
This program utilizes creative educational devices to
illuminate masterpieces that encompass performances of complete
works or excerpts thereof. The aim of this program is to open
new vistas of music pleasure, education, and appreciation to the
general public, students, families and young adults.
Organizational Structure
Our governing
components consist of a board of directors and an advisory board
comprising artists and business experts in diverse professional
fields. Our artistic components consist of an orchestra of
master musicians, the foundation for all our performances. Our
outstanding soloists and chorus of regional singers participate
as selected works require.
Future Plans
As growth
allows, expanded programs will be introduced to fulfill the
mission. Among these will be the development of an apprentice
program for exceptionally talented young adults that will help
bridge the gulf between formal education and a professional
career.
Quotations
Oct 10, 2004
inaugural performance of Verdi's Aida in Old Greenwich,
Connecticut ''...This very professional group deserves much
praise for its performance and for adding yet another dimension
to the lives of those fortunate enough to have enjoyed their
debut...'' Letter to the editor...Greenwich Post, Oct.
14, 2004
May 22 and
May 23, 2005 Bizet's Carmen in Old Greenwich, CT ''On May
21, we attended a rousing and magnificent performance of Bizet's
Carmen... Ida Angland conducted a thrilling and compelling
performance... The superb Gateway Classical Music Society should
not be a rose in the desert for none to see...'' Letter to the
editor...Greenwich Time, June 13, 2005
October 20,
2005 Gateway's New York City debut with Verdi's Aida
''From the opening bars to the soaring passages of The Grand
March...to the silence of the tomb finale, the superb Gateway
Orchestra and Chorus sang as one breath. The audience heard
nuances and colors in the score that were a revelation...This was
an unforgettable experience and we all welcome this new and
amazing company to New York City.'' Review...The Italian
Voice, Nov. 17, 2005
April 29 and
May 2, 2006 Verdi Requiem in Old Greenwich and New York City
''The soft opening notes took one into a spiritual realm that
grew and reached heights and depths that only a sorcerer could
delve... The orchestra literally wept in the Lacrymosa. Never have
I heard it so powerfully done.'' Review of Verdi Requiem in
New York ... The Italian Voice, May 11, 2006
June 28, 2006
Highlights in New York City ''Under the inspiring
leadership of conductor Ida Angland, an unforgettable magic
carpet of a musical journey awaited us... The cheers of the
audience resounded throughout the church. There is a great need
for this kind of evening in the lives of us all.'' Review of
Highlights...The Italian Voice, July 6, 2006
May 9 and May
10, 2007 Rigoletto in New York City ''Under the
commanding baton of Ida Angland, the entire orchestra gave us
the visceral thrill of irony, mockery and utter tragedy''
Review of Rigoletto , The Italian Voice, May 24, 2007
May 2, 2008 Beethoven-Ninth
Symphony and Rossini-Stabat Mater in Old Greenwich ''The
performance was fantastic.'' Letter to the editor,
Stamford Advocate, June 1, 2008
May 9, 2008 Beethoven Ninth
Symphony in New York City ''Ida Angland and orchestra... opened
the very soul of the composer for all to share.'' Review,
The Italian Voice, June 12, 2008
April 17,
2009 Performance featuring three composers (Mendelssohn,
Puccini and Verdi) in New York City ''. . . Overture to La
forza del destino. . .We heard this magnificent piece as if tor
the first time with fresh insights and breathless anticipation.
. .We look forward to the next concert from this outstanding
company.'' Review -The Italian Voice, May 14, 2009
May 19 and May 22, 2010 Madama Butterfly in New York City
''Maestro Angland truly brought her musicians as close to
perfection as one possibly could. The melodies, themes and
harmonies of this gorgeous score were created anew.'' Review
The Italian Voice, July 22, 2010
Gateway Classical Music Society is
a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
All contributions are tax
deductible.
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