Stravinsky's Rite of Spring | Havana Nights concert

Groundbreaking Ballet and Sizzling Latin Favorites: GLCO Brings Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring to northern Michigan for the First Time

PETOSKEY, MI — The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra will present a groundbreaking concert on July 17 at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts, performing Igor Stravinsky’s legendary Rite of Spring — a masterpiece so revolutionary its 1913 Paris premiere famously caused a riot and forever changed the course of music and dance. To our knowledge, this iconic work has never been performed in our community, and GLCO is proud to change that.

“This project goes beyond presenting music,” said Dr. Libor Ondras, GLCO Music Director. “Our community cherishes tradition and also craves bold, fresh artistic experiences. To keep the arts thriving, we must embrace transformative works that challenge, educate, and inspire our artists as well as our audiences. Rite of Spring is exactly that.”

As DEOS Artistic Director Tess Sinke shared, “As a female choreographer, the chance to choreograph such an important work is incredibly exciting. Nationwide, fewer than one-third of ballets last season were choreographed by women. Thank you for this opportunity.”

The concert’s second half will turn up the summer energy with Latin and jazz-inspired favorites, including Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, and the iconic Mambo from West Side Story — featuring a special “Maestro for a Moment” guest appearance by Matt Davis, who will bring his signature charm and energy to the conductor’s podium, continuing GLCO’s tradition of spotlighting local talent.

Thanks to generous support from community donors, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, and the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, GLCO continues its mission of bringing world-class experiences home to northern Michigan.

Tickets from $35 - $65 for the 7 PM concert are available at www.glcorchestra.org,  and include an optional pre-concert talk at 6 pm by Maestro Ondras.  The concert is free for veterans, active service members and students 18 and under by calling 231-487-0010.