Portland, OR — Orchestra Nova Northwest’s annual one-of-a-kind celebration, The Spectacular at the Reser, is back with a not-to-be-missed edition. The 2025 Spectacular on January 25th will be a delirious mash-up of cherished arias and unexpected tunes, focusing on the artistry of Oregon’s progressive orchestra, in an unforgettable evening of fun along with some of the greatest music ever written for the human voice. In a coup for ONN, the concert will also include Special Guest and the evening’s honoree, Suzanne Nance, President & CEO of the nation’s premier classical music station, All Classical Radio. Suzanne has been a featured speaker at each of the two prior iterations of the Spectacular, so it will be a special delight to hear this local superstar and highly sought-after soprano in song!
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Rossini’s Figaro, Gounod’s Juliet, and Bizet’s Carmen could all be in the same concert hall at the same time, ONN’s Music Director Steven Byess has created the answer! Four outstanding soloists from PSU, Tess Wix, Sequoia Robinette, Johnny Derby, and Brandon Hilsabeck will bring life to a rich and diverse set of arias that showcase the thrill of live music and all the emotion that is a hallmark of the operatic tradition. Equal parts stunning beauty and cheeky fun, including music by Verdi, Puccini, & Sondheim, The Spectacular this year reveals an ensemble in peak form in its debut season as Orchestra Nova Northwest. Expect the unexpected! Expect to be surprised and delighted by the power of music to transcend the quotidian and to reveal deeper truths, even while making you smile.
A pre-concert VIP fundraising event in the beautiful facilities of The Reser is planned to honor the contributions of All Classical President & CEO Suzanne Nance, a tireless advocate for the benefits of arts education and the importance of supporting the cultural economy. Suzanne’s dedication to innovative collaborations and the recent grand opening of All Classical’s state of the art home in downtown Portland are just two of the many reasons to honor this incredible member of our musical community, and ONN is delighted to have the opportunity to applaud! An elegant and exclusive party (only one hundred tickets will be sold to the VIP event), the Spectacular includes entertainment from ONN musicians, along with the PSU soloists and is a meaningful way for music enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy and support the most progressive and FUN orchestra in the Pacific Northwest.