The Houston chamber orchestra has a reputation for performing in non-traditional spaces and helping to bring the Buster Keaton movie to life is the latest example
By , Staff Writer |
The Houston chamber orchestra ROCO (formerly the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra) is known for taking its music well outside traditional venues for classical music. Its upcoming 20th season will be no exception, with events scheduled for Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston Botanic Garden, the MD Anderson Cancer Center Park Atrium and Fifth Ward’s DeLuxe Theatre.
But there is one performance that will be especially notable to lovers of both classic film and Houston’s soon-to-be-reopened River Oaks Theatre. On April 11, 2025, ROCO will be accompanying a screening of the 1926 Buster Keaton silent comedy “The General,” as well as “Music Land” from Disney’s “Silly Symphony” series.
Buster Keaton (left) and Marion Mack in a scene from the silent film “The General.”
“The General” tells the story of a Civil War-era Southern railroad engineer in pursuit of a train that has been stolen by the North. Though considered a box office flop when first released, “The General” went on to achieve classic status. Since 1989, it has been designated for preservation by the Library of Congress and is considered “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
No word yet on ticket prices or when they will go on sale.
Other notable performances in ROCO’s upcoming season include:
Sept. 27-28: The season opener features conductor Mei-Ann Chen presenting a world premiere of Viet Cuong’s “Constellations”; a ROCO Rescored commissioned world premiere of Gustav Holst/Jim Stephenson: “The Planets” (with original video by James Templeton) and more. Miller Outdoor Theatre (Sept. 27) and the Church of St. John the Divine (Sept. 28).
Nov. 2: JoAnn Falletta conducting; world premiere of Juan Pablo Contreras: “Alma Monarca,” celebrating Day of the Dead; and world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s “No Grit No Pearl.” The Church of St. John the Divine.
Dec. 7: Yuletide with ROCO and Jazz Houston. Houston Botanic Garden.
Jan. 7, 2025: Beer & Brass with the ROCO Brass Quintet. Saint Arnold Brewing Co.
Jan. 25, 2025: Scott St. John & Nicole Cherry, violin. The DeLuxe Theater.
Feb. 8, 2025: Delyana Lazarova conducting; Texas premiere of Clarice Assad’s “Evolution of AI” and Total Eclipse, Piano Concerto; Emilie Mayer: Overture No. 2 in D Major, Houston Youth Symphony Side-by-Side piece. The Church of St. John the Divine.
March 29, 2025: Viet Cuong: “Song Cycle,” telling the story of his family’s escape from Saigon. Nicholas Phan, tenor. Asia Society Texas Center.
April 26, 2025: Vincent Gardner: Mancini Mashup (joined by Jazz Houston); Igor Stravinsky/Marlijn Helder: “Rite of Spring,” ROCO Rescore Commissioned world premiere; Brockman Opera Hall.
For the full lineup and more information, go to roco.org
Cary Darling is the arts and entertainment editor for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at [email protected]. He oversees the coverage of movies, television, pop music and the fine arts. He joined the Chronicle in 2017 as a writer specializing in arts, entertainment and pop culture, with an emphasis on film and media. A native of Los Angeles and a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, he has been a features/arts reporter at the Orange County Register, Miami Herald and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
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