CCM Philharmonia centers complex women characters in 'Power Dressing' on Oct. 16

The CCM Philharmonia continues their 2024-25 season with “Power Dressing,” a program pairing works by two women composers with music from classic opera and modern dance. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m on Wednesday, Oct., 16 in Corbett Auditorium, and marks the American premiere of Aya Yoshida’s Power Dressing. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

Based in Copenhagen, Yoshida’s work has been performed throughout Europe and Asia by major festivals, orchestras and chamber ensembles. CCM Philharmonia previously presented her Double-Face, for which she won CCM’s prestigious Alexander Zemlinsky Prize for Composition, and Let Me Take You There, which was premiered by CCM Dance and CCM Philharmonia in "Still Waters" during Dance Works in December 2021. 

“Our collaboration with Ms. Yoshida is a rare opportunity to perform more than one or two works of an emerging, award-winning composer,” says Professor Mark Gibson, Director of CCM Orchestral Studies. CCM audiences can expect more from Yoshida in coming seasons—"I look forward to organizing a commission of a new work by Aya in the near future,” continues Gibson.

Gibson sees Yoshida’s music as a chance for both students and audience members to expand their horizons. “I am drawn to her work because of her extraordinary musical language and palette. Her unique voice is important for our students to learn how to play and for our audiences to learn how to hear.”

In addition to the American premiere, the concert excerpts music from classic opera and modern ballet that explores powerful women from myth and legend.

The hushed prelude to Verdi’s Aida opens the concert and sets the tone. Shorter than a typical overture, the prelude introduces the lyrical themes associated with the opera’s heroine.

Adapted from his ballet for Martha Graham, the music of Barber’s Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance evokes the sinister anticipation and terror of Euripides’ classic revenge tragedy.

Also of mythological scope, Strauss’s “Symphonic Fantasy on Die Frau ohne Schatten” expands upon musical themes from his opera, a symbolist fairytale conceived with his longtime collaborator Hugo Hofmannsthal.

The program concludes with Louise Farrenc’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major. A 19th-century female composer long overlooked by the musical establishment, Farrenc’s music has regained popularity in recent years for its depth of lyricism and individual voice. 

“The program was conceived as a celebration of women in music — as composer, as conductor and performer, and as protagonist in dance, opera and in symphony,” says Gibson. 

This season, Philharmonia audiences can look forward to a wide variety of music from beloved and lesser-known composers. “I have never been more excited about a CCM Philharmonia season since I started my tenure here 27 years ago,” remarks Gibson. “So much great music!”

CCM Philharmonia
Mark Gibson, music director and conductor

• VERDI: Prelude to Aida 
• YOSHIDA: Power Dressing (US Premiere) 
• BARBER: Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance 
• R. STRAUSS: Symphonic Fantasy on Die Frau ohne Schatten 
• L. FARRENC: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 35 

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16
• Estimated run time: 80 minutes

Tickets: $19.50 adult, $15 student, $15 UC faculty/staff, $10 UC student, $5 CCM student; group discounts available.

Experiencing the magic of CCM OnStage has never been easier! Purchase your tickets:

• Online at ccmonstage.universitytickets.com
• Over the phone at 513-556-4183
• In person at the CCM Box Office in the Atrium of UC's Corbett Center for the Performing Arts

CCM’s Box Office hours are Tue-Fri from 1-5 p.m. and one hour prior to curtain for ticketed performances. Hours subject to change based on the University of Cincinnati calendar. Our Box Office staff is always ready to answer your questions by phone at 513-556-4183 or email at boxoff@uc.edu. 

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.

Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Effective July 1, 2023, all University of Cincinnati Parking Services locations are cashless. Pay for parking securely with your credit/debit card. All major credit cards accepted.

CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15. Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.

For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.

There's more to explore — view our full performance schedule by month or visit the CCM Box Office website to buy tickets. 

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