The Canton Symphony Orchestra welcomes Flavio Chamis, conductor, composer, educator and former assistant to Leonard Bernstein for our first program in our ConverZations series on Sept. 10th at Zimmermann Symphony Center at noon. Flavio Chamis will share an exciting look into the life and music of renowned conductor and composer, Leonard Bernstein and discuss how Judaism permeated the composer’s life and inspired his work. This season, the CSO celebrates the centennial year of Leonard Bernstein life and music with our opening concert “A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein” on Saturday, October 6th at 7:30 pm.
A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Flavio Chamis began his formal training in conducting and composition at the Rubin Academy of Music (Tel Aviv University) under S. Ronli Riklis, assistant to Zubin Mehta of the Israel Philharmonic. He continued his studies with Martin Stephani in Detmold, Germany, graduating from the Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Chamis moved to Vienna, where he was appointed Music Director of the Villa Lobos Ensemble. In 1985, Chamis was named conducting assistant to Leonard Bernstein. In this capacity, he led the Israel Philharmonic in preparation for tours of Europe, Japan and the United States, featuring performances of Mahler’s 9th Symphony. Flavio resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife Tatjana, Associate Principal violist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and their three children. He speaks fluent English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German, with conversational abilities in French and Italian.
ConverZations is a series of free public discussions, held at the Zimmermann Symphony Center (2331 17th Street NW) and scheduled the second Monday of every month through April 2019. For more information on upcoming ConverZations lectures and other Canton Symphony Orchestra events, visit www.cantonsymphony.org.
Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain residents of Stark County and beyond. The orchestra performs classical, holiday, casual, and a variety of educational programs in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, adjacent to the Zimmermann Symphony Center at 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio, as well as other venues in Stark County. For more information, please visit www.cantonsymphony.org or call (330)452-2094. Administrative offices are located at the Zimmermann Symphony Center 2331 17th Street NW, Canton OH 44708.
