Ode to Joy Flash Mob at HALL Wines

You may have heard: HALL Wines crashed its own party. 

Just two weeks ago today, Festival del Sole had the honor of producing an Ode to Joy flash mob for HALL Wines that wowed the large crowd at the 2015 Auction Napa Valley Barrel Auction. The surprise performance was a first of its kind in the Napa Valley, and served as a preview to Festival del Sole's landmark tenth season. 

In order to keep the flash mob a complete surprise, 80 musicians, as well as Festival del Sole, Auction Napa Valley, and HALL Wines staff had to keep a tight lip. So much so that the guard at the service entrance would not allow the timpani through the gate because he thought it was a pot for boiling pasta and that the player was an unregistered food vendor. Thankfully, everyone made it onto the grounds and the most memorable moment of the day ensued. 

As guests wined and dined through the main tent at Auction Napa Valley, 40 instrumentalists from the Festival del Sole Sinfonia and 40 vocalists from Volti Festival del Sole Chorale quietly took their places and awaited conductor Ming Luke to climb atop a wine barrel and begin leading them in an epic performance of Ode to Joy, from Beethoven’s immortal Symphony No. 9. 

Confused expressions quickly turned to looks of glee as the crowd realized what was happening and began raising their smartphones to capture the glorious performance to share with friends. 

Festival del Sole presents the Russian National Orchestra performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in its entirety at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater on July 19, 2015. For more information and to purchase passes, please visit us here.