Chilean conductor to lead NJSO at Giralda concert in Madison, June 23

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One of Chile’s top conductors, José Luis Domínguez, will lead the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra this Sunday in a program featuring works by Piazzolla and Gershwin, at the 36th annual Giralda Music & Arts Festival in Madison.

The June 23, 2019, festival supports Morris Arts, a nonprofit that promotes the arts across Morris County.

Gates at Giralda Farms open at 4 pm for picnics (prizes go to the most creative picnic themes), kids activities and art sales.

At 6 pm, Domínguez and the symphony take the giant stage.

The Debona family's first place Kasbah picnic theme, at the Giralda Music & Arts Festival 2016. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. June 26, 2016
The Debona family’s first place Kasbah picnic theme, at the Giralda Music & Arts Festival 2016. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. June 26, 2016

Hailed by prize-winning cellist Andrés Diaz as “absolutely amazing,” Domínguez is artistic director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Academy, and a regular guest conductor with Opéra Théâtre Saint-Étienne in France. He is former resident director of the Orquesta Filarmónica de Santiago.

The program includes Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story, Aaron Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody and Hoe Down, Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango, Joe Pablo Moncayo’s Huapango and Arturo Marquez’ Conga del Fuego Nuevo.

Also scheduled: Medleys of Duke Ellington and George Gershwin favorites, Morton Gould’s American Salute and Bob Lowden’s Armed Forces Salute.

The many faces of conductor José Luis Domínguez.

This year’s South American flavor dovetails nicely with LatinX ConeXiones, the year-long theme of a new Arts & Culture Collaborative that includes Morris Arts, said Dr. Lynn Siebert of Morris Arts.

Other elements of the festival have proven timeless, whatever the musical choices, Siebert said.

“The best part is seeing how groups of all ages enjoy the event. For some, it’s the first time they’ve experienced a symphony concert and it’s a great way to introduce people to classical music, in a relaxed outdoor setting where you can listen to Beethoven while kids can run free and go barefoot in the grass,” she said.

“It’s also wonderful to see groups of friends make Giralda a tradition year after year –- having fun coordinating their food and decorations, sometimes even coming in costume, getting together to share the beauty of the experience and mark the start of the summer season.”

Advance tickets are $18 for adults (over 12); $4 for children; under 4, free. Group sales (10 or more), $15 each. At the gate: $25 / $5; under 4, free.

Tickets are available from Morris Arts, (973) 285-5115, x15;  Kings Food Markets (Morristown and Chatham) and Gary’s Wine and Marketplace (Madison).

Crowd settles in at Giralda Music & Arts Festival 2016. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. June 26, 2016
Crowd settles in at Giralda Music & Arts Festival 2016. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. June 26, 2016

Giralda Farms is at Dodge Drive and Madison Avenue (Rt. 124). In the highly unlikely event of rain (Morris Arts Excecutive Director Tom Werder is a connoisseur of weather apps), everything moves to the Mennen Arena at 161 E. Hanover Ave. in Morris Township.

You can check the concert’s weather status starting at noon on Sunday at (973) 285-5115, or here on MorristownGreen.com or the Morris Arts website.

Kids dancing at the Giralda Music & Arts Fest, June 25, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Kids dancing at the Giralda Music & Arts Fest, June 25, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove

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