After a slow and majestic opening the tempo picks up with the familiar strains from Carmen. Creative use of the entire dynamic range contributes to the overall effect of this terrific production/closer.

Richard Saucedo begins this opener in dramatic fashion with a Maestoso introduction which is followed by the faster main theme. This carefully paced arrangement includes nice feature sections for woodwinds as well as impact pointsfor the brass. The accelerando at the end will have the audience on its feet!