DEARBORN, Michigan – Critically acclaimed for her superlative artistry, charismatic and radiant performing style, and intense musicianship, Julie Albers will perform Schumann’s Cello Concerto with the Dearborn Symphony on Friday, March 8 at 8pm at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center; free concert preview at 7pm. The romantic, highly expressive piece was described by pre-eminent 20th century cellist Pablo Casals as “one of the finest works one could wish to hear – sublime music from beginning to end!” This captivating program begins with the delightful Overture to Mignon, a love story and one of the most popular operas of the late 19th century. The concert culminates with Berlioz’ spectacular showpiece, Symphonie Fantastique, a musical tale of hopeless love when a young man’s obsessed love turns from a pastoral dream to a nightmare of jealousy.
Julie Albers
Its movements are replete with moments of tenderness, visions of suicide and murder, ecstasy and despair — a reflection of the composer’s own obsessed love. “The subject of this musical drama was none other than my love for Miss Smithson and the anguish and ‘bad dreams’ it had brought me” — Berlioz Julie Albers began cello studies at the age of four. She moved to Cleveland during her junior year of high school to attend the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She was soon awarded the Grand Prize at the XIII International Competition for Young Musicians in Douai, France, and as a result toured France as soloist with Orchestre Symphonique de Douai. Ms. Albers made her major orchestral debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1998, and thereafter has performed in recital and with orchestras throughout North America, Europe, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and New and thereafter has performed in recital and with orchestras throughout North America, Europe, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand. She has won important, international cello competitions and in 2003, she was named the first Gold Medal Laureate of South Korea’s Gyeongnam International Music Competition, winning the $25,000 Grand Prize. In addition to solo, recital, and ensemble performances, Ms. Albers is Assistant Professor and holds the Mary Jean and Charles Yates Cello Chair at the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Julie Albers performs on a N.F. Vuillaume cello made in 1872.
To make a complete night out, the Dearborn Symphony has partnered with local restaurants for “Dinner and a Concert.” The restaurants offer a 20% discount to symphony ticket-holders on concert nights. Advance reservations are recommended at Andiamo Dearborn, Big Fish, Ciao, Double Tree Grille39, The Dearborn Inn, The Henry, Kiernan’s & Silky’s, La Pita, and Ollie’s.
Lodging for Julie Albers is provided by The Dearborn Inn — A Marriott Hotel. The concert and afterglow are sponsored by Friends of the Dearborn Symphony. Season sponsors include Ford Land and Dearborn Sausage Co. Tickets ranging from $15 to $30 in balcony, box and lower level are available by phoning the Symphony at 313-565-2424 or at the theater box office at 313-943-2354. Visit www.dearbornsymphony.org for more information.