World class violinist headlines Naples Community Orchestra concert

Naples Community Orchestra will host its final concert of the 2021 season on Saturday, April 24, 3:30 p.m. at Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive in Naples.

The concert will feature Stella Chen, an award winning American violinist and international star. Chen earned the first place prize in the most prestigious violin competition in the world, the International Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium 2019. She is also the recipient of a 2020 Avery Fisher Career Grant, the 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award. She plays the “Huggins” 1708 Stradivarius violin, generously on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation.

Chen will perform the R. Strauss Violin Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 18. and the J.S. Bach Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor. She joins Naples Community Orchestra artistic director and internationally renowned violinist Max Rabinovitsj, for the J.S. Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, the “Double Concerto.” Naples’ own, acclaimed pianist Milana Strezeva, joins Chen and Rabinovitsj for the Strauss and Bach on piano and harpsichord respectively.

The program also features the Naples Community Orchestra Chamber Ensemble under the direction of Max Rabinovitsj. This will be his final concert serving as artistic director with the Naples Community Orchestra.

Rabinovitsj said, “saying goodbye to the orchestra that I love, and you, my favorite audience, seems unreal. The concert features a most wonderful artist, Stella Chen. She and I will play Bach’s “Double Concerto” for two violins, a parting gift. The last eight years have been so rewarding, and I wish the orchestra the joy of music forever.”

Ticket reservations can be made online at naplescommunityorchestra.org. To make the concerts more accessible to those who cannot attend in person, a livestream option is available to watch and listen online from home on the Moorings Presbyterian Church website.

Complimentary tickets are available for students with valid student identification. Electronic tickets will be sent by email. Ticket holders may print them out or have them available on a smartphone to scan at the door. Email questions to tkingnco@gmail.com.

Several safety measures are in place to comply with social distancing guidelines. Moorings Presbyterian Church features ample seating and ushers will assist patrons to the available seats. Audience size will be limited to 225. The musicians will wear masks and concerts will be one hour in duration to limit restroom use and lobby gatherings.

About Naples Community Orchestra
Naples Community Orchestra is Naples’ premier community orchestra. Founded in 1993 by the late Ralph Stewart, the orchestra has reached new heights in performance excellence under the baton of artistic director and internationally renowned conductor and violinist, Max Rabinovitsj. Naples Community Orchestra is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Learn more at NaplesCommunityOrchestra.org.