BOULDER, Colo. Mar. 19, 2025 — Boulder Symphony’s upcoming concert series is on Mar. 29 and 30 at Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. The concert will feature pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven, Gioachino Rossini, Giacomo Puccini, and a world premiere by Peter Drew.
Join Boulder Symphony for a concert featuring a diverse program of classical works. Soprano Anastasia Antropova will perform Rossini’s “Una voce poco fa” from The Barber of Seville and Puccini’s “Un bel dì, vedremo” from Madama Butterfly, both showcasing vocal agility and expression. These famous arias are favorites among opera enthusiasts.
Antropova is a classical singer, pianist, and vocal coach who has performed across Europe and the United States. She earned degrees from the Saint Petersburg Conservatory (MM in Piano Performance) and the Chicago College of Performing Arts (MM in Vocal Performance). Recent highlights include performing the role of Carmen in multiple productions, releasing her album “Chopin: Late Works,” and launching her chamber music project “Melodie.”
In anticipation of this concert and her connection to these arias, Antropova commented:
“I’m thrilled to be performing two iconic arias that showcase vastly different operatic worlds. What captivates me about both pieces is how the marriage of music and text perfectly reveals these women’s distinct personalities. For me, the most exhilarating aspect of vocal performance is fully embodying these characters—stepping into their emotional landscapes and immersing myself in their circumstances. Though both arias are extended monologues centered on love, they explore profoundly different facets of it. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the Boulder Symphony and experiencing this beautiful city for the first time.”
While in Boulder, Antropova will continue Boulder Symphony’s outreach efforts with Boulder Bridge House by performing a short concert at Community Table Kitchen.
Boulder Symphony will also perform the world premiere of Peter Drew’s Symphony No. 1 “Reminiscence,” a composition that delves into themes of memory and reflection. This piece is a pastiche of sorts, gathering up the musical moments that have touched the composer throughout his life.
Peter explored numerous paths—enlisting in the service, earning a master’s degree, and dabbling in jobs like film distribution, catering, and sailing—before finding a home in teaching film and social studies, yet still felt incomplete. Determined to take music seriously, he bought a clarinet, studied with Sid Cooper and Danny Bank, and immersed himself in classical and jazz, eventually joining a symphonic band. In time, he co-founded the St. Albans Jazz Ensemble, learned arranging and composition under Philip Rothman, and discovered his true passion for performing and composing.
Of his new composition and world premiere, Drew shares:
“My music is replete with the language of past composers, the notes and phrases which speak to me. When I was very young, I heard a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, conducted by Arturo Toscanini, and I was transformed. One of the first melodies I can remember were those of the ‘Ode to Joy’ from the last movement. My breath blew those notes into a cheap harmonica. I was in heaven.”
The program concludes with the renowned Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” by Beethoven, a work that vividly portrays scenes of nature and rural life. This symphony is known for its serene melodies and depictions of countryside tranquility, said to be a composition resulting from an emotional reaction to experiencing nature.
PARMA Recordings will be conducting a live recording of the performance. A huge thanks to PARMA for their support in making this concert possible.
Boulder Symphony is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the highest quality, accessible classical music to the Boulder area. Tickets for the concert are available now and can be purchased online here.