No. 53/03
August 14, 2003

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY’S LISNER AUDITORIUM HOSTS EUROPEAN UNION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA WASHINGTON PREMIERE

Following a series of concerts in Mexico City, the internationally acclaimed EU Chamber Orchestra (EUCO) will perform a free concert with American violin virtuoso Janice Martin at the George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium, October 26, 2003 at 4:00 pm. This will be the first Washington appearance by the group, which is comprised of some of the finest young string players from all over Europe.

Since giving its first concert in 1981, the EUCO has gained a worldwide reputation as a musical ambassador for the European Union. The orchestra performs some 70 concerts annually with many distinguished artists in different regions of the world. Its audiences have included Queen Noor of Jordan, the King and Queen of Belgium, King Sihanouk of Cambodia, Princess Galyani of Bangkok and its own patron, Queen Sofia of Spain.

For its Lisner program, the EUCO will perform works by Mozart, Elgar, Haydn and Tchaikovsky under the direction of German violinist Matthias Wollong, who has achieved international recognition for his CD of the complete works of Swiss composer Otmar Schoeck. Guest soloist Janice Martin, a recipient violinist of the Stradivari Society of Chicago, plays the beautiful 1708 Burstein-Bagshawe Stradivarius violin.

The Offenbach-Post in Germany stated of the EUCO: “The performers achieved exemplary intonation throughout, such that the splendid gestures of the music appeared transparent." And the Bristol Evening Post in England said: “With strength and melodic grace, their performance bristled with enthusiasm.”

Of Ms. Martin’s performances, the Washington Post wrote: “Stunning vigor, sensitivity and technical virtuosity…a standing ovation…”; and the Miami Herald said: “Her charged performance of Corigliano’s Sonata is the best yet…This is playing of incisive drive, style and lyricism, crystal clear with dead-center intonation.”

Tickets for the Sunday concert are free, but required. They are available at the Lisner Box Office (Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm), TicketMaster Outlets and by PhoneCharge (202) 432-SEAT. Service charges apply. For more information, please call: (202) 994-6800 or visit www.lisner.org

This event is a co-production of the George Washington University and the European Commission Delegation in Washington, DC.

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The George Washington University Lisner Auditorium is located on the corner of 21^st and H Streets, NW, Washington, DC (two blocks from Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro, Blue & Orange Lines). Parking is available at the University Garage on “I” Street between 22^nd and 23^rd Streets.