The Berlin-inspired music of composer Kurt Weill will fill Spanos Theater when the Cal Poly Music Department presents “Songs of Berlin — The 20th Century with Kurt Weill.”
Weill’s most famous works of the ‘20s and ‘30s will be performed Saturday night by six instrumentalists and more than 20 voice students from Cal Poly’s music department. The concert will feature Weills most famous works, including “Threepenny Opera,” “Mack the Knife” and “Pirate Jenny,” as well as “Alabama Song” from “The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny,” “Speak Low” and “One Touch of Venus.”
The German composer was inspired by the city of Berlin to write his large collection of music and attended the Berlin School for Music.
Music sophomore Patricia Rosas said that the majority of the songs will be performed in English, but the audience will hear some of the songs performed in their native tongue.
“The first couple of songs we do will be in German, but the rest will be in English, kind of following (Weill’s) life pattern,” Rosas said, referring to Weill’s escape to the United States from Germany during World War II.
“I think the audience will enjoy hearing something they’ve probably never heard before. It’s music of a different generation,” Rosas said. “A lot of Weill’s works are really
fun and exciting but some of them are also really moving. The way he expresses emotions through music is amazing.”
The voice coaches behind the production are part of its excellence, Rosas continued, noting the work of Jacalyn Kreitzer and Katherine Arthur. Arthur coincidentally has spent much in time in Germany and often performs in the language.
Other contributors to the performance include faculty member Ken Hustad and Keith Waibel, who will perform on bass and clarinet, respectively. The group has also called upon notable music department alumni Janice Hurlburt and Jessica Reed, who will be a part of the show both on stage and behind the scenes.
The performance is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $6 for students and senior citizens and $10 for general admission at the Performing Arts Box Office. They can also be purchased online at www.pacslo.org.