Free etude on the river - Symphony performs annual show in Caras
By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian
Take a gorgeous summer evening, add in your favorite people, bring delicious picnic food, unfold the smorgasbord on the banks of the Clark Fork River at Caras Park and top it off with a free concert of classical music.
The result? Thousands of the happiest people you will ever find on a Sunday night in Missoula.
Almost 4,000 people - maybe more - turned out Sunday to enjoy the Missoula Symphony Orchestra's annual Symphony in the Park.
Conductor Darko Butorac scored a bit hit with the concert's Wild West theme.
When the orchestra opened with Rossini's William Tell Overture - otherwise known as the theme of the Lone Ranger - the crowd erupted in spontaneous applause and young children were inspired to gallop around.
“This is amazing - we are loving it,” said Cody Smith, a 30-year-old Missoula ranch hand who came to the concert with his wife, Shana.
“I like heavy metal, and if you take all the fuzz and dirt out of it, well, what you have is classical music.”
At the direction of conductor Darko Butorac, the Missoula Symphony Orchestra plays “The Star Spangled Banner,” opening the third annual Symphony in the Park at Caras Park on Sunday evening.
Jennifer Adams arrived with her husband, Joel, and their three children.
Most Sunday nights the family watches television, she said, but on this night everyone agreed to try something different.
Adams' 8-year-old son, Jacy, didn't wait long to wallow in the fun. Once he learned what was on the program, he quickly separated from the family and plunged into the crowd to find a good spot to see and hear the orchestra.
“He can't wait to hear ‘Raiders of the Last Ark' march,” Adams said.
Butorac and company kept the audience engaged throughout the show, playing recognizable hits such as “Alfred Moves to Helena,” the theme song to “Legends of the Fall.”
During Butorac's “hot soul medley,” the conductor earned applause for grooving and grunting during the Motown hit “Love Machine.” Smiling impishly, Butorac turned his back on the musicians, took a few dance steps and prompted the audience to clap along.
At intermission, Butorac confessed he likes busting the stuffy stereotype of what a classical concert should sound and look like.
“This is one my favorite concerts because it is for a wide audience,” he said. “I love it.
“It's fun to do and it's really exciting - there is always a great vibe here and for me it is really great to be able to do this for the city and our community.”
First-timers to the event, Brandy and Rob Gillespie said they didn't know what to expect.
Eyeing the crowd of picnickers enjoying slices of homemade pie, gazpacho, champagne and full-blown picnic dinners, the young couple said the only bundle they brought was their 15-month-old son, Logan.
Nearby, a couple they never met before offered the use of their blanket, and Logan waddled around introducing himself.
“The community here is great - everyone is so friendly,” said Gillespie, who owns Axis Physical Therapy in Missoula. “And to hear the music, watch the performers, it's amazing.”
“It's a great night in Missoula,” Brandy added. “It is wonderful.”
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com.
