1812 Overture

This weekend is the Kingston Symphony’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture at the parade square at Fort Henry. This annual event has delighted audiences for years and has even become a traditional outing for many Kingston families. I experienced the fort concert for the first time last summer from the violin section. I had always been away during the summer months but last year I was finally able to participate and it was as exciting as it sounds.

The 1812 Overture was written in 1880 to commemorate Russia’s defense of Moscow against Napoleon’s army. It is best known for the firing cannons and ringing bells in the finale (commonly associated with the film V for Vendetta). In the concert hall, the cannons are performed with a mallet hitting some sort of hollow wood. In this performance, the Fort Henry Guard joins the symphony by firing off real cannons, while fireworks are launched over the parade square.

Over the years the Kingston Symphony has been joined at the Fort by various local musicians such as Georgette Fry and The Abrams Brothers. This year, the music will focus on music from Hollywood, and will feature a special musical performance with The Fort Henry Guard.

There are two chances to listen to the 1812 Overture at Fort Henry, on Friday, July 17th, and Saturday, July 18th respectively.  As always, tickets are available through the Grand Theatre box office.

Special thanks, and credit to CarolienC for her photo of Fort Henry.