“If you’re expecting ‘long hair’ music, nothing could be further from truth,” said Christian Chalifour, Desert Chamber Orchestra director.
The orchestra with two soloists, Vanessa Sheldon, harpist, and Lawrence Spector, guitar, will be the next guests at the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series on Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Idyllwild Community Center site.
Demonstrating Chalifour’s musical tastes, the performance starts with Kimberly Roberts singing Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Chalifour emphasized that the program was selected weeks ago before the Mountain Fire.
Having lived here nearly 10 years ago, he was concerned about the fire’s impact on the series. “I was concerned for Ken [Dahleen, the series producer] because the concerts help fund the series.”
Chalifour is the former director of the Coachella Valley Symphony, which has appear several times at the ISCS, including last year with Wayne Abravanel as the maestro and two previous appearances with Chalifour.
The program will include some traditional classical music such as the “Handel Harp Concerto” with Dr. Vanessa Sheldon, and a Vivaldi guitar concerto with Lawrence Spector. Also, Chalifour has planned to perform more recent compositions such as Henry Mancini’s “Baby Elephant Walk,” Alan Silva’s “The Code” and Chalifour’s rendition of the “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Chalifour stressed the performance will have something for everyone’s musical tastes.
The Desert Chamber Orchestra with Spector and Sheldon will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
