By Kate Bartlett
The BPO will again take the stage at the Ellicottville Summer Music Festival this Sunday, July 7th at 8pm, teaming up with Jeans ‘n Classics for a performance featuring the hits of Led Zeppelin and The Who. Fernanda Lastra will lead the Orchestra for her 2nd year as Assistant Conductor, and Diversity Fellow of the BPO.
Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Fernanda Lastra is a passionate and creative conductor with a wide range of interests in repertoire, including symphonic, contemporary, and operatic works. Besides regularly leading the Buffalo Philharmonic, Fernanda has led professional and youth orchestras in the United States, Argentina, and Brazil. She is committed to featuring diverse voices in concert halls and serves as an advocate for Latin American composers, particularly those from Argentina. She is equally dedicated to creating well-balanced and diverse programs that enhance the overall concert experience and is passionate about community engagement.
Almost every year since its inception, the BPO has played the Summer Music Festival. Most recently, the BPO has teamed up with Jeans ‘n Classics to bring a fun, energetic production of Rock ‘n Roll paired with their live symphonic music. “We love playing this show,” says Fernanda. “We have a lot of fun; it’s a true celebration of music.”
Summer brings a different feeling to the BPO, as they play numerous outdoor concerts at various locations around Western New York, each capturing a different atmosphere and often different genres of music. “The beautiful thing about summer is that it is more relaxed,” remarks Fernanda. “We love being able to play in the great outdoors during the summer months. It’s a unique experience with our stage closer to the audience we can interact more with the crowd. It’s great to see families bringing blankets and lawn chairs, many generations enjoying the music together.”
Jeans ‘n Classics will perform on stage with the BPO on Saturday. “They always put on a good show and we enjoy performing with them. Their stage energy and interaction with the audience is fantastic; there’s always something surprising.” The BPO will accompany the grand finale 4th of July fireworks over the slopes of Holiday Valley with traditional Americana songs, including 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes and more.
Fernanda describes how the energy at the summer shows, particularly Ellicottville, is different than their more formal indoor concerts. “Not only is the energy different on stage, but the interaction between the crowd and our music is powerful. It’s great to see the crowd interacting with our music, singing along, dancing and enjoying themselves. The energy is that of celebration. We share this common culture of music and that’s wonderful.”
The BPO offers a variety of concerts throughout the summer months, many free and in unique locations, such as the Buffalo Central Terminal. Each concert provides a unique experience with the opportunity to enjoy the BPO in a more casual atmosphere, and relax in the great outdoors. While some concerts are themed, like Harry Potter on July 19th, others feature favorites of the BPO that they look forward to sharing with concert goers. “It’s a great opportunity to experience the BPO, especially for children. It’s a fun, casual atmosphere, and great exposure to music and the arts. It’s beautiful to see everyone come out and enjoy our music.”
For more information on the BPO and their Summer Schedule visit bpo.org and for tickets to their show at the Ellicottville Summer Music Festival on Sunday, July 7th, complete with fireworks, visit ellicottvilleny.com.