WEST BARNSTABLE, MA—March 18, 2024
Twin sister piano duo Christina and Michelle Naughton are guest artists; Francisco Noya conducts
The Cape Symphony Orchestra, with guest artists Christina and Michelle Naughton on piano, will perform Béla Bartók’s “Concerto for Orchestra,” Francis Poulenc’s “Concerto for Two Pianos,” and Gordon Jacob’s “Old Wine in New Bottles” in its Better Together concerts on April 6 and 7, 2024.
“These pieces were written to showcase musicians: the great orchestra, the virtuosity of the pianists,” says guest conductor Francisco Noya of the two concertos.
Pianists Christina and Michelle Naughton are a truly extraordinary duo, both in their talent and skill and in their relationship. As twins, their rapport and intuition for each other’s artistry is unparalleled. Christina and Michelle attended Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School and were highly accomplished soloists before joining forces as a musical partnership of unmatched power and talent. Based in New York, they play to critical acclaim at home and abroad as avid recitalists and frequent guests at festivals worldwide. The Naughton sisters are the first piano duo ever to receive the Avery Fisher Career Grant presented by Lincoln Center. They are Steinway Artists and will perform with the Cape Symphony Orchestra on two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos.
Guest conductor Francisco Noya is Music Director of the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra and a member of the conducting faculty at Berklee College of Music. His versatility and expertise in conducting symphonic and operatic works have established him as a prominent figure in the Boston and New England music communities. Past positions include Resident Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director of the New Philharmonia Orchestra and Longwood Symphony Orchestra, and conductor of the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra. Noya has appeared as guest conductor with the Boston Pops, the Baltimore, Nashville, San Antonio and Omaha Symphonies, and with orchestras in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, and Russia. He made his Ravinia Festival debut in 2021 with Ben Folds and the Ravinia Festival Orchestra.
A Nantucket resident, Noya is especially pleased to be conducting the Cape Symphony Orchestra. The Bartók concerto in particular drew him to this program. “It’s an amazing piece, very emotionally direct,” he says. “Bartok had a very special musical language, his own way of shaping music – contemporary, but accessible, so classical music audiences with more conservative tastes still find it very enjoyable.” Poulenc’s “Concerto for Two Pianos,” he says, is “a phenomenal showpiece… charming and bright. You will detect Mozart’s influence in repeated turns of phrase.”
“Two pianos make a wonderful noise,” he continues with a smile. “It’s loud! I love it, I love it. They are absolutely ‘Better Together.’” Classical music fans, especially those who play or appreciate the piano, will not want to miss this outstanding performance.
Cape Symphony is proud to present “Better Together” at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center, 744 West Main Street, Hyannis on Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 7 at 3:00 PM. The concert is approximately two hours long, including a 20-minute intermission. One hour before each performance, Cape Symphony’s Assistant Conductor Joe Marchio will deliver a talk about the concert program with stories and background information about the repertoire and composers. These popular pre-concert talks are free to ticketholders.
To purchase tickets, visit capesymphony.org, call 508.362.1111, email
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About Cape Symphony
At Cape Symphony, our mission is to Inspire Joy. We do this through outstanding entertainment and educational programs. The Cape Symphony Orchestra performs at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center in Hyannis. From popular hits to magnificent classics, the emphasis is always on beautiful music. Through “Cape Symphony Presents” (CSP) programming, we introduce outstanding artists and ensembles of a wide variety of genres at intimate venues in communities across the Cape. Cape Symphony offers music education for all ages through private instrumental and voice lessons, dance instruction, group music classes, and ensembles at our West Barnstable and Falmouth campuses. Our acclaimed Cape Symphony Preschool is known for its holistic approach to learning and arts-infused curriculum.
