Marc Mellits will be appearing at Rhythm Unleashed, a collection of his works performed by the musicians of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, in the RME's Redstone Room on May 19 at 8:00 p.m. Mellits' unique blending of classical instrumentation with high-energy, rock rhythms is as sensual as it is intelligent.

Heading this project is Principal Percussionist Aaron Williams with help from Principal Cellist Hannah Holman, Pianist Mary Neil, and fellow percussionist Tony Oliver. The team will perform a variety of Mellits' repertoire, including 5 Quiet Machines, Disciples of Gouda, Mara's Lullaby, and Paranoid Cheese.

Tickets for Rhythm Unleashed are $18 for adults and $7 for students. Buy them now online by clicking here.

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is screening Derek Jarman's film War Requiem in preparation for the live production of the orchestra masterpiece on March 3 & 4. A cash bar will open at 5:30 p.m. with the 92-minute film beginning at 6:30 p.m. Variety called the 1989 film "a stunning visual and serious music treat."

War Requiem reunites Jarman with his Tilda Swinton (2008 Oscar® Winner for Michael Clayton) for a spectacular and moving interpretation of composer Benjamin Britten's groundbreaking 1961 orchestral masterpiece. Just as Britten combined the sacred Latin Requiem Mass with the searing unromantic war poetry of British infantry lieutenant Wilfred Owen, who was tragically killed in the final week of World War One, Jarman interprets Britten's six movements in eye-popping and heartbreaking dialogue-free tableaus illustrating war's infinite futility, sacrifice, and waste. War Requiem boldly combines archival footage of war's devastation with Jarman's keen and gifted eye for both the theatrical and the political as Owen, played by Nathaniel Parker, doggedly struggles to survive on the field of battle in defense of a cause rendered unjust by the human toll it takes in the trenches and on the home front. Featuring Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, National Treasure) as Owen's star-crossed German counterpart, and Sir Laurence Olivier in his final screen appearance, War Requiem is a "violent, horrifying, ultimately inspiring film" that remains Derek Jarman's definitive, "eloquent, complex, and profoundly negative statement on war" (Washington Post).

 

Don't miss the many other opportunities around the Quad Cities inspired by this historic production. For a full listing of events and exhibits participating in the Britten Peace Project, click here.

 

BUY TICKETS TODAY

 

Saturday, March 3

7:30 p.m.

War Requiem

Adler Theatre, Davenport

 

Sunday, March 4

2 p.m.

War Requiem

Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island

 

Saturday, March 31

7:30 p.m.

All Singing! All Dancing!

Adler Theatre, Davenport

 

Sunday, April 1

2 p.m.

All Singing! All Dancing!

Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island

Saturday, May 19

8 p.m.

Rhythym Unleashed

Redstone Room, River Music Experience, Davenport

The Quad City Youth Prelude Strings will give their first public performance in Augustana College's Centennial Hall on Sunday, February 22, at 3 p.m. as part of the Quad City Youth String Ensemble's nineteenth Annual Concert. The performance will take place at Augustana College's Centennial Hall and features music by Mussorgsky, Mozart, Holst and Caponegro, among others. Both the Quad City Youth Prelude Strings and the Quad City Youth String Ensemble are led by Music Director and Conductor Dortha DeWit.
Prelude Strings was founded this year in response to the high demand for membership in the QCSO's youth ensembles. Prelude Strings is the third and youngest of the QCSO's youth ensembles, which also includes the Quad City Youth String Ensemble and the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra. The QCSO's youth ensembles serve approximately 170 area youth.
Tickets are available at the door: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and students free. For more information about the Quad City Youth Prelude Strings, String Ensemble, or the QCSO youth ensembles, please visit www.qcsymphony.com or call the QCSO office at 563.322.0931.
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