According to Matthew Kopans, UPH Managing Director, this will be the first classical chamber concert to be performed at the Preservation Hall. Jill Levy, Artistic Director of the chamber group, soloed there once before at a summer demonstration of the hall and liked the possibilities offered by the venue. When it became evident the first concert of the 2007-08 season would need a stage for a classical Spanish dancer, the UPH became an obvious choice. 

Levy’s season opener will focus on Spanish themes and dance. She is bringing six professional New York City performers for this concert. The preceding evening, they will also present this concert with her in Connecticut. Joining Levy, violinist and ASO concertmaster, will be cellist Eliot Bailen, flutist Susan Rotholz and violist Sarah Adams. They are regulars on the Saratoga Chamber Players series and will return later in the series, playing at the United Methodist Church in Saratoga. Also on the Oct. 13 program are violinist Robin Zeh, dancer/choreographer Gabriella Granados, founder of the American Bolero Dance Company, and guitarist Scott Jackson Wiley. Granados will dance to Boccherini’s Guitar Quintet, also called “The Fandango.” Other pieces on the program are works by Ginastera (“Impresiones de la Puna” for flute and string quartet), Arriaga (Quartet #3), Piazzola (“Histoire du Tango”), Albeniz (“Castille” for guitar with castanets) and Turina (“The Bullfighter’s Prayer” for string quartet).

A feature of all SCP performances is Meet-the-Musicians receptions after the concert. La Cantina restaurant and SCP board members are providing the food to accompany the conversation. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for students and free for children accompanied by an adult. For more information or to charge tickets, visit www.saratogachamberplayers.org or call 584-6523.