RTS Campus Symphony takes on Beethoven By KATY THOMPSON In their most difficult assignment yet, the Campus Symphony Orchestra with soloists from the School of Music as well as two choirs will undertake Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 tonight at Hill. They do so under the baton of Ricardo Averbach, who discussed his allegiance to the work. "I don't want there to be a best part," explained Averbach, "but to give an idea of the piece as a whole. I want to get the essence of the work, to get a feeling of unity. That takes a lot of concentration, and is difficult." "The main thing is not to play like amateurs. We will try very hard to play in a way that the piece deserves." After expending a lot of time and effort in preparation, all those involved are anxiously awaiting the performance. "Since February, we've been work- ing very hard," said Averbach. Anticipating the challenge, the orchestra has had extra rehearsals as well as a dress rehearsal which included both choirs and the soloists. "This performance is very important," emphasized Averbach. "We're trying to make these orchestras really important. In only two or three years, the Orchestra has become bigger, now we even have two. It's really great to see that happening. And they're getting better, even from last year I can see an improvement. This performance will be the greatest and biggest challenge so far." Anyone can play in the Campus Symphony Orchestra. "About 98 percent of the (members of the) orchestra are non-music majors," estimated Averbach. Many of the members are students, but there are members of the community as well. "The students are really into the piece. They're really excited. This Orchestra is not professional, these people are not doing this because it's their job. "This is their opportunity for exposure after having studied this piece. They're doing it because they want to, and they give it their all," Averbach said. Ricardo Averbach has acquired international renown as a conductor. He first earned an engineering degree in his native Brazil. After studying piano in Bulgaria, he moved on to directing the largest orchestra in South America, the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra. He has worked with student orchestras in both countries. This will be his second performance as a doctoral student under Gustav Meier. Compared with Bulgaria, Averbach said, "Here we have a completely different approach. It has to be much more dynamic." Combining their power with the Orchestra will be two choirs from the * metro Detroit area. The Vanguard Voices was the official choir of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1952 until 1978. They will sing with the Rackham Symphony Chorus, another local professional choir. Putting together the voices with the instruments is a crucial part of the piece. "Beethoven's No. 9 was a very important step forward," commented Averbach. "He used voices and actual text. This was a great innovation for it had never been done before." BEETHOVEN'S NINTH will be performed at 8p.m. tonight at Hill Auditorium. Admission is free. SREAD BEST OF ANN ARBOR - APRIL 14 MAGIC WOK 613-615 E. William Ann Arbor, MI 48104 ,. ,. Yes, Elle MacPherson can act, as she proves in her on-screen debut, "Sirens." Of course, when playing opposite the sexy Hugh Grant, how could she fail? Soud the 'ie'o sensual beau,.....ty By SARAH STEWART Lindsay and the forbidden fruit that are his mod- prisingly breathtaking and never in bad taste. It is said of the mythical Sirens that they lured els. It seems they have happened upon a 1930s There are as many voluptuous breasts as expected, sailors to their deaths with the magic of their Garden of Eden amidst the Blue Mountains of but the integration of artistic and human flesh voices. Taking a hint from this story for his newest Australia. make the nude shots of the posing models eerily film, "Sirens," director John Duigan unabashedly With their religious and moral high-standing, reminiscent of a trip to the art museum. In addi- lures his audience into the celebration of female the Campions could not appear more out of place. tion, Lindsay's models were intentionally cast to But gradually, Estella becomes less like herself be significantly taller than the slight Fitzgerald, FILM Rand more like the almost celestial "Sirens." She is contributing to their ethereal presence. Sirens at first shocked by the unhesitant nudity and Among all this fantasy, it is conceivable that freedom displayed by Sheila (Elle MacPherson) Duigan might overlook the importance of quality Written and directed by John Duigan; with and Prue (Kate Fischer) but ultimately reveals her actors. Fortunately, he avoids this trap. Fitzgerald Tara Fitzgerald, Sam Neill, Hugh Grant and own sensuality in ways she would never have perfects the character of Estella by maintaining a Elle MacPherson. dreamed of. slight uncertainty even in the midst of her ecstasy, It is clear throughout the film that its aesthetics reminding us that she still is a minister's wife. And sensuality with the magic of unsubtle beauty and are not to be overlooked. Few scenes occur with- at the same time, she slides herself into the world sexual discovery. out some portrait of feminine beauty, whether it of the Sirens with graceful ease. Minister Anthony Campion (Hugh Grant) and beLindsay'spaintings, statues or statuesque mod- Grant is just as successful pretending to be his wife Estella (Tara Fitzgerald) travel to the els. In one scene, the models dress up as fairies, modern beyond his character's traditional Chris- estate of artist Norman Lindsay (Sam Neill) with pleasing both Lindsay's two daughters and the tian means while remaining terribly uncomfort- hopes of convincing him to withdraw his contro- audience with their fantastical grace and dream- able with his wife's uncharacteristic behavior. His versial etching, "The Crucified Venus," from an like appearance. Such scenes borderon the absurd character is the most comedic, drawing laughs international art exhibition. Fatigued after their but fortunately succeed at being breathtaking. through his failed attempts to avoid gazing upon long journey, they wake up to the knowing eyes of Come to think of it, much of "Sirens" is sur- See SIRENS, Page 8 OOS is.~ regstcreo Iraulemark o +st of poratio., v liii! .IIIU DUotmt. Ietare ttfaUeflatKs or Canon Inc. RP - ,Cmk f v 1994 Canon U.S.A., Inc. 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