Published April 14, 2023

The Art of Innovation

by Ignacio Barrón Viela (Guest Writer)

As we prepare for the season finale of our Classix series with the presentation of Carmen this weekend, I can’t help but reflect on the last 170 days since I began working with the Reno Phil. I have been able to experience our Youth Orchestra tour to Washington D.C., talented and accomplished guest artists at our Classix series concerts, our RPA Kids programs, our holiday extravaganza Spirit of the Season, and countless other experiences the Phil provides to the community. I have had the opportunity to meet with several community leaders, political figures, media partners, musicians, artists, and supporters of the arts to broaden my understanding of just how deep arts and culture is woven into the fabric of the city. As I continue to discover this community, there are several themes that are prevalent when it comes to the Reno Phil and the impact it has made on generations of northern Nevadans. 

Innovation is crucial to the success of the Reno Phil, and it is the driving force when bringing new ideas to the table on how to engage audiences. For example, this weekend we will be celebrating the culmination of our 54th season of the Classix series and enjoying the reappearance of opera in northern Nevada with Bizet’s Carmen. This originally was planned to be a concert performance, in which our talented musicians along with singers out in concert dress would be performing the music of Carmen. However, the desire for an operatic experience from our Music Director Laura Jackson and Reno Phil team has evolved this concept into a semi-staged opera. To produce a semi-staged opera in place of a concert opera, the Reno Phil has hired additional crew, including a choreographer, wardrobe consultant, stage director, lighting director, dancers, and an accompanist for various rehearsals. If you join us this weekend, you will get to experience around 160 artists on stage with nine featured guest vocalists, four dancers, a full chorus and a combination of lighting, choreography, colors, and costumes that have provided the Phil an opportunity for increased exposure to new audiences. 

The Reno community is a truly special and unique place. What makes it so remarkable is the level of connectivity and support that exists between its members. From local businesses to community organizations, everyone seems to be working together to make Reno a better place. Since I have moved here, I have been fortunate to see the connection between the community and the Reno Phil. Whether it’s through attending concerts, supporting fundraising efforts, or simply spreading the word about upcoming performances, the Reno community has shown how much they value and appreciate the Reno Phil. The community truly believes in the value that arts and culture provide, and it’s inspiring to see such a strong sense of community spirit and collaboration in action.

It is with enormous excitement that we share our upcoming season with you; subscriptions for the Classix series are now available! The diversity, richness, contrast, quality of artists, and exciting new sounds of our programs will be remembered for years to come. Next month we will announce the rest or our events for our 2023-24 season, but until then, we hope you continue to join us and subscribe to our Season 55 - Classix series. Pops on the River is also now on sale and will take place at the J Resort’s Glow Plaza Festival Grounds on Saturday, July 8, 2023. We are grateful for this new partnership, and we hope to see you all there. 

The Reno Phil has an exciting future and the joy that music provides to every member of the community will continue to be amplified at a larger scale while also providing new experiences to new audiences. I am proud to be an advocate for the Reno Phil and a new member of this community, and I look forward to seeing how the arts and culture community continues to grow. 

My Best,

Ignacio Barrón Viela
President & CEO
Reno Philharmonic Association

Thank you to Ignacio Barrón Viela, writing as a guest for our reoccurring ART VIEWS contributor, Scott Faulkner

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