Dirk Meyer, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra's music director, recalls being introduced to Markus Muller more than a year ago, solely because they were both German.
"We started talking," Meyer said. "We learned about what each other is doing. I thought it was fascinating what he's doing. He thought it was fascinating what I was doing."
Wouldn't it be possible, Meyer thought, to combine Muller's Runway Manhattan photo agency's work in fashion with the symphony's music?
"We put our heads together and came up with a collaboration," he said.
The result is Runway Duluth, the symphony's concert this Saturday that merges music with fashion.
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"Both our art forms," said Muller. "Music does something for people and entertains, and so does fashion."
During the concert, still fashion photos will be projected behind the orchestra, and videos from recent fashion weeks in New York City, London, Paris and Milan, Italy, will play on the sides while the orchestra plays music related to those cities. Selections will include Italian opera, the can-can, music from "Phantom of the Opera" and "Saturday Night Fever," and even some Michael Jackson and Billy Joel music.
The end of the first and second half of the concert will feature live fashion shows featuring the works of several Minneapolis designers, including Danielle Everine who was on season nine of Project Runway.
"It's really a very unique concept," Meyer said of the mix of music and fashion. "I have never seen anything like this done anywhere before."
It's part of the DSSO's efforts to include Duluth's artistic community in its performances and to build interest and draw new people to its performances.
"Everybody thinks it's a really fascinating and fun concept," Meyer said. "People are really excited about it."
The concert is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center's Symphony Hall. Tickets are $10-$45. For more information, call (218) 623-3776 or visit dsso.com.
