German orchestra to perform at IU Auditorium

Stringed instruments and classical chords will dawn the IU Auditorium’s stage tonight when the Dresden Staatskapelle will perform to an expected full crowd.

Although about half of the house is full, tickets are still available for the 8 p.m. performance, said Doug Booher, director of the IU Auditorium.

The orchestra from Dresden, Germany, was founded in 1548 and is now the oldest continuously playing orchestra in the world.

“It’s a mark of excellence in Europe and around the world for centuries now,” Booher said.

The orchestra has had a connection with IU for 60 years, and the Auditorium has always strived to bring the best to its stage, Booher said.

The auditorium wanted to bring a variety of genres to its season, and this music is a great opportunity to hear centuries worth of classical music, Booher said.

Fabio Luis, the director of Dresden Staatskapelle, has led the orchestra since 2007.

“Luisi brings a lot of personality to the podium,” Booher said.

The orchestra will feature classical pianist Yundi Li, known worldwide for being the youngest ever prize-winning contestant in the Warsaw Chopin International Piano Competition. He will perform with the orchestra selected pieces of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

Tickets for the show, which is sponsored by Limestone Grille and WFIU, start at $15 for students and $29 for the general public.

“It’s a very good experience because most students don’t get to experience music from around the world and musicians from other places,” said sophomore Katie Dogan.

“This group is such a pristine group, and just to be in the presence of them would be an awesome experience,” she said.