Press Release – Free ECSO Concert at Cathedral of St Patrick

CONTACT: Caleb Bailey 860-443-2876, [email protected]

Free ECSO concert at Cathedral of St. Patrick – Sunday, April 2, 2023, 7:30pm;

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213 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360

On Sunday, April 2 (Palm Sunday) at 7:30pm, the ECSO will perform a free concert at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, CT. For more information and to reserve a free ticket, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/palm-sunday-concert-2023-tickets-559644079507

The evening will begin with Johann Sebastian Bach’s Double Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Strings in C minor, BWV 1060. This work will feature ECSO’s newly appointed principal oboist and Coast Guard Band co-principal, Erik Andruskyak. Joining him will be beloved ECSO concertmaster and frequent soloist, Stephan Tieszen.

Following this work is and Laudate Dominum, K. 339, sung by local star soprano, Jūratė Švedaitė. Švedaitė, a graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music who teaches at Connecticut College, will also sing during one of the movements presented from Gabriel Faur­é’s Requiem, Op. 48 will then unite the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus and the orchestra, under the direction of the ECSC’s new Music Director, Dr. Daniel McDavitt.

Known for its peaceful and hopeful nature, the Fauré Requiem remains among the best-loved classical pieces from one of the most influential French composers. Closing out the concert is Mozart’s Ave verum corpus, K. 618, a gorgeously reflective choral work.

Goodwill donations collected at the event will benefit the ECSO and the St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich, CT.

About Jūratė Švedaitė, soprano:

Possessing a vocal artistry and stage presence capable of “transfixing audiences with moments of opera magic,” Lithuanian soprano, Jūratė Švedaitė, has performed on four continents with organizations such as the Lithuanian National Chamber Orchestra, the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Connecticut Lyric Opera, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Prolirica de Antioquia (Colombia), Kaunas (Lithuania) Chamber Orchestra, Classical Orchestra of Piła (Poland), the Lithuanian National Ensemble “Lietuva”, Schlern International Music Festival (Italy), Greve Opera Festival (Italy), San Gimignano Music Festial (Italy), Pazaislis International Music Festival (Lithuania), among others, in venues as varied as Carnegie Hall, the Jerusalem Center (Israel), the Lithuanian National Philharmonic and Teatro Metropolitano de Medellin.

Her previous roles include the diva Tosca, Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Aida, Violetta in La Traviata, Mimi in La Bohème, Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Desdemona in Otello, Elisabetta in Don Carlo,  Senta in Der fliegende Holländer, Marguerite in Faust, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin Antonia / Giulietta in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Nedda in Pagliacci, Micaela in Carmen, and the title role in Floyd’s Susannah, among others.

An active performer of sacred works and oratorios as well, her credits include Monteverdi’s and Vivaldi’s Magnificats; Bach’s Mass in B minorChristmas OratorioCoffe and Peasant Cantatas as well as numerous sacred cantatas; Mozart’s RequiemExsultate JubilateSolemn Vespers and Missa Brevis; Pergolessi’s Stabat Mater, Brahm’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, and Faure’s Requiem.

The granddaughter of one of Lithuania’s most revered composers and arrangers of traditional music, Jonas Švedas, she began performing at an early age and made her recording debut at the age of twelve; also, at that time, she hosted several programs for children on national television. Ms. Švedaitė later attended the Lithuanian Music Academy where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Opera Performance and Vocal Instruction. She now resides in SE CT where she is an Associate Professor at Connecticut College as well as voice instructor at Thames Valley Music School.

Ms. Švedaitė is exclusively represented by MIA Artists Management.

About Stephan Tieszen, violin:

Stephan Tieszen studied violin with Mischa Mischakoff, Guila Bustabo, Sally Thomas, Sidney Harth, and Gabriel Banat. Dr. Tieszen teaches violin and chamber music at Mannes College of Music and Tabor Community Arts Center, and orchestral violin classes at the Meadowmount School of Music in Elizabethtown, NY.

He has taught at Yale University, the University of CT, Connecticut College, and Fairfield University. He has been Concertmaster of the Norwalk, Meriden, Bridgeport and New Britain Symphonies, and is currently Concertmaster of the Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra in New London, and Principal Second Violin of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Tieszen appears frequently with Wall Street Chamber Players, was a founding member of the Concord Chamber Music Ensemble and is an active performer and lecturer in educational outreach programs.

About Erik Andrusyak, oboe:

Erik Andrusyak is Principal Oboe of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, appointed in 2022. He is also currently the co-principal oboe at the United States Coast Guard band since 2021. He was previously principal oboe of the Elgin Symphony and was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, a training program under the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Andrusyak has participated in prestigious music festivals including the Pacific Music Festival and the Music Academy of the West. He has been invited to perform as a guest with ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Joffrey Ballet, Oistrakh Symphony, Springfield Symphony (MA), Wallingford Symphony, and the Chicago Philharmonic.

Andrusyak is originally from Russia and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University, where he studied with Alex Klein (former Principal Oboe of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and Grace Hong (Fifth House Ensemble). Other mentors include Eugene Izotov, Scott Hostetler and Lora Schaefer.

Covid Policy: 

New concert attendance guidelines have been implemented in order for concertgoers to safely enjoy the new season. While ECSO maintains its commitment to the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and encourages patrons to be up to date with their vaccinations according to their personal health requirements, as of August 11, patrons are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or negative proof of COVID-19 testing at ECSO for events. It is not mandatory to wear a mask while indoors, but you may choose to wear one.

We will continue to review the current situation and any updated guidelines from the CDC and the State of Connecticut to determine what changes may be necessary.

ECSO general copy:

We are thrilled to announce our 22-23 Season’s lineup, curated by Music Director and Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada. This season marks the 13th year under the musical leadership of Music Director and Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada. Visit www.ectsymphony.com for more information and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) @ectsymphony. The ECSO offers a range of affordable seating options from $65 to as low as $12 for attendance to one concert. The ECSO will continue to offer those under 40 years of age and active or retired military members $12 tickets in premium sections. ECSO is also active in promoting music education in New London by offering educational programs, watch our website for details. Founded in 1946 by Norwegian immigrant, Victor Norman, the mission of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra is to inspire, educate, and connect our communities through live orchestral music.