“You cannot say ‘no’ to the people you love, not often. That’s the secret.”

-Mario Puzo, The Godfather

From Naples to Milan, commercials to the big screen, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra is celebrating the greatest hits of Italy just in time for Valentine’s Day. When talking about the program for his upcoming performance with the SSO, guest conductor Leslie Dala is wistful about love, life and travel.

“The music in this program conjures up Italy’s sunny hills,” he explains. “With these works, we can savour the heat of the Tuscan sun and warm the heart with familiar music.”

Dala will conduct  La Dolce Vita, the Valentine’s live stream. It’s a Pops concert full of music for lovers featuring soprano Kateryna Khartova and tenor Spencer McKnight. Essential Italian classics like O Sole Mio, Con Te Partiro and O Mio Babbino Caro, love themes from Puccini and The Godfather will make you an offer you can’t refuse.

“These are melodies you hear in movies and commercials, they saturate our life whether we know it or not.”

“You say some of these titles and many people think, ‘I don’t know much about opera.’, but this music is all around us,” says Dala. “These are melodies you hear in movies and commercials, they saturate our life whether we know it or not.”

SSO violinist and assistant concertmaster Jacqueline Nutting is excited to be part of the orchestra’s string section featured in this performance.

“Italian music is all about creating a gorgeous, rich melody; it’s thick, like painting but with sound,” she says. “It’s so important during this really difficult time that we continue to lift the soul and mind with music.”

For many, a night at the symphony has always been a ritual; supper before the show, a nice glass of wine and seeing familiar faces. The SSO will keep that going this Valentine’s Day weekend by supporting local. The orchestra has partnered with La Cucina Restaurant for a special menu. Patrons can order ahead and the SSO date night package will be ready for pick-up before the show. Ingredients Artisan Market is also on board as its in-house sommelier has created wine pairings that will have your crisscrossing Italy from Milan to Naples.

“The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra is opening up the possibilities for its audience,” says Dala. “Forget about shopping for your lover this Valentine’s Day. This show will gather all your senses with wine, a beautiful meal and music you know and love.”

 

La Dolce Vita

Saturday Feb. 13, 2021

Live Stream – 7:30p.m.

Tickets $15

For more information on the show, follow this link.