By The TimesLedger
Queens Symphony Orchestra will begin celebrating its 50th anniversary season as the borough’s only professional orchestra with a very special event. At 7 p.m. Sunday the “Salute to Our Heroes” concert will feature fast-rising star vocalist Daniel Rodriguez, known as the “singing policeman.” This partnership of extraordinary talent honors the remembrance of Sept. 11 in a tribute concert of beloved American music in one of Queen’s finest venues and the artistic home of the QSO, the Queensborough Community College Performing Arts Center.
Daniel Rodriguez, “America’s tenor”, has achieved worldwide acclaim since Sept. 11 for his ringing, heartfelt and beautiful voice and is already considered by some to be one of the great American singers of our time. His CD, “Spirit of America” on Manhattan Records, outsold such singing luminaries as Charlotte Church upon its February 2002 release. Rodriguez’s singing appearances for President Bush, the New York Yankees, The Late Show with David Letterman, Live with Regis and Kelly, Good Morning America,
Larry King Live, brought this remarkable talent before millions of TV viewers. Recent public performances combined with the personal interest in his singing career by opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, have quickly established Rodriguez, who has been singing since age 7, as one of the most powerful and beautiful voices this country has ever produced.
Herb Chain, board president of Queens Symphony Orchestra, said the Rodriguez concert will be the perfect blend of two goals. “It gives us great pleasure to combine what we do best, providing the wonder and power of music to our communities in Queens” and to “honor the men and women who have sacrificed themselves, and continue to do so, to ensure our safety and well-being. This is our way of giving back to them and honoring the memory of those who lost their lives.”
Queens Symphony Orchestra has spent the last half-century providing high-quality classical music concerts to the borough in many diverse settings and educational programs, and are best known for their traditional free Sunday afternoon summer concerts in Forest Park’s historic Sueffert Bandshell. “The orchestra’s classical repertoire and musical expertise always delivers a first-rate performance to appreciative audiences of all ages,” Chain said.
On Sunday, acclaimed Maestro Arthur Fagen will lead Queens Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of the 50th anniversary season and present a moving patriotic tribute of American songs and international musical treasures sung with heartrending finesse and fiery passion by Rodriguez. Fagen is an internationally acclaimed conductor on concert and opera podiums throughout Europe and the United States. For the last 13 years, he has been introducing QSO audiences to innovative and exciting music programs.
World-renowned Chinese artist Cao Yong will be featured in the concert event with his spectacular and powerful painting “Freedom.” Yong’s work was created in the wake of Sept. 11 and its image expresses patriotism and courage. He will provide a scenic backdrop of this work for the stage and the artist will come to New York from California to attend the concert.
Join QSO at the “Salute to our Heroes” concert in honoring the lost and the brave of Sept. 11 while acknowledging the tenacious courage of New Yorkers and all fellow Americans and share in an unforgettable evening of the music and song.
Limited tickets are available for purchase to the public at $25 per ticket. Queensborough Community College Performing Arts Center is located at 56th Avenue & Springfield Blvd., Bayside. Call 631-6311.
