Philadelphia Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Join The Stars of Stage and Screen for Mann Summer Orchestra Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Brianna Taylor
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PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA JOIN THE
STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN FOR MANN SUMMER ORCHESTRA SERIES
Series Opens June 23
PHILADELPHIA (June 2015) – The Mann’s 2015 Summer Classics Series opens this June with ten shows that celebrate distinct genres paired with some of the finest artists in the world. Featuring the stars of stage and screens both big and small, the season includes two classical orchestral evenings, two movie nights under the stars with film scores performed live, three entertainment headliners, a live performance of NPR’s award-winning quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, plus the return of Zelda.
“For so many of us, the announcement of the orchestra season at the Mann signifies the return of summer and great nights listening to incredible music under the stars. This season’s Classics Series brings together the most renowned orchestral performers with performances from across genres for a great mix of programming,” says Catherine M. Cahill, President and CEO of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. “We are thrilled to say that summer is back at the Mann.”
This season, The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to its summer home in Fairmount Park to perform six concerts, spanning a repertoire of classical and classical-crossover concerts as well as the popular movie-in-the-park evenings. The series opens with “Tchaikovsky with Fireworks” (June 23), followed by “A Night of Gershwin” (June 26) and an all-Beethoven concert (July 25). Movie nights will feature two American classics, The Godfather (June 25) and The Fellowship of the Ring (July 23), with The Philadelphia Orchestra performing the film scores live. Finally, on July 24, Diana Krall takes the stage with the Fabulous Philadelphians as part of her Wallflower world tour for a concert that combines her orchestral standards with pop classics from her recent album.
“Magnificent music creates powerful, memorable moments, whether providing depth to a film, increasing emotion during a musical, or creating the perfect soundtrack for a summer date night. This season’s Classics Series will do all that, and more,” Cahill adds.
The Classics Series is rounded out by four additional concerts this season. On July 9, NPR’s Peapody Award-winning quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! will take the stage for a live show, followed by Idina Menzel and her powerful vocals on the Mann’s acoustically acclaimed pavilion on July 16. The multi-talented Seth MacFarlane arrives at the Mann on July 18 to lend his well-known voice to American Songbook classics with The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for the Mann’s Party in the Park. Then, late in the season, The Legend of Zelda will return to the Mann for an encore performance on Sept. 18 with a 90-piece orchestra and choir.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23 Opening Night: Tchaikovsky with Fireworks with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Opening night welcomes a Philadelphia favorite, Tchaikovsky with Fireworks, to start the summer residency of The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann. Revel in the unbridled passion of the doomed lovers Romeo and Juliet, delight in the virtuosity of Philadelphia’s principal cellist, Hai-Ye Ni, as she serenades the audience in the elegant Rococo Variations, waltz along on the lawn as the beloved Swan Lake Suite quickens your pulse, and shout for joy as the 1812 Overture lights up the night sky with thrilling melodies and a fireworks finale!
Conductor: Cristian Măcelaru
Soloist: Hai-Ye Ni, Cellist
Tickets: $20-$35
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25: The Godfather Live with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Winner of three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, The Godfather comes to life on the big screen with Nino Rota’s iconic and haunting score performed live by The Philadelphia Orchestra. Ranked as one of the best movies of all time by the American Film Institute, The Godfather with a live orchestral score will leave you absolutely speechless.
Conductor: Justin Freer
Tickets: $20-$35; Limited VIP tickets available
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26: A Night of Gershwin with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Celebrate the breadth of George Gershwin’s legacy with one of his most effervescent musical overtures, Rhapsody in Blue; the first and still the finest American opera, Porgy and Bess; and the ultimate musical postcard to the folks back home, An American in Paris. This evening at the Mann will feature some of the best music America has given the world.
Conductor: Cristian Măcelaru
Soloists: Terrence Wilson, piano; Taylor Johnson, soprano; Norman Garrett, baritone
Tickets: $20-$35
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 9: NPR Presents Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!
Enjoy a live show of Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me!, National Public Radio’s Peabody Award-winning quiz show, at the Mann. Host Peter Sagal leads a rotating panel of comedians, humorists and journalists, listener contestants and celebrity guests through a comic review of the week’s news. Contestants vie for the most coveted prize in all of public radio: a custom-recorded greeting by scorekeeper emeritus Carl Kasell for their voicemail.
Tickets: $40-$75
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 16: Idina Menzel
The voice powering the multi-platinum smash hit “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen and the star of Broadway’s Rent, Wicked, and If/Then performs one night only at the Mann! Menzel will lead audiences through a special journey of classic pop, musical theater favorites, and her own personal catalogue.
Tickets: $29.50 - $125
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 18: Seth MacFarlane with The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
“Family Guy” funny man and Grammy-nominated artist, Seth MacFarlane, showcases his smooth singing talents with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Hear your favorite American Songbook classics in one unforgettable summer night, only at the Mann.
Conductor: Joel McNeely
Tickets: $45-$89; Limited VIP Tickets Available
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 23: The Fellowship of the Ring with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Witness The Fellowship of the Ring from The Lord of the Rings, the first film of the beloved trilogy, on a giant screen with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Don’t miss this epic score composed and orchestrated by Academy Award-winner Howard Shore performed live by one of the world's greatest orchestras and two full choirs. Conductor: Ludwig Wicki
Choirs: Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia (Paul Rardin, Artistic Director Designate), Philadelphia Boys Choir (Jeffrey R. Smith, Music Director)
Tickets: $25-$65; Limited VIP tickets available
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, JULY 24: Diana Krall with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Diana Krall returns to the Mann for an unforgettable evening with the incomparable Philadelphia Orchestra as part of her Wallflower World Tour. In addition to her lush orchestral standards, Krall will also perform pop classics from her new album Wallflower, including The Mamas and the Papas' California Dreamin, the Eagles' Desperado, and Bob Dylan's Wallflower.
Conductor: Chris Walden
Tickets: $25-$85
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 25: All-Beethoven Concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra
If ever there was a musician whose battle cry was “freedom,” it was Beethoven. His Leonore Overture No. 3 relates the heroic conviction of a woman to free her husband from certain doom. The Piano Concerto No. 2 was composed for his own astonishing virtuoso technique. And the Symphony No. 5 has become so much more than a symphony – its famous first four notes have been turned into a Morse code phrase for “victory.” Its propulsive energy and journey escalate towards a finale that has long transcended the concert hall and given hope to oppressed people everywhere. Come to the Mann to hear again why The Philadelphia Orchestra is supreme in the music of Beethoven.
Conductor: Cristian Măcelaru
Soloist: Janice Carissa, Pianist
Tickets: $20-$35
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18: The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses - Master Quest
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concert series is back with a third installment: "Master Quest." Audiences can expect to experience awesome new inclusions from The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and new music from the recently announced remake of fan favorite The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. A four-movement symphony, recounting the classic storylines from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past and more. Performed by a 90-piece orchestra and choir, the music is accompanied by images on a giant screen.
Conductor: Amy Andersson
Tickets: $55-$100
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
Below is a full list of shows which have been announced to date for summer 2015. For information on all shows or to purchase tickets, visit manncenter.org.
May 22 All Time Low at the Skyline Stage with special guests Issues, Tonight Alive, and State Champ
May 26 Ed Sheeran with special guest Foy Vance
June 7 Charlie Wilson with special guests KEM & Joe
June 17 Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters with special guest Pixies
June 19 Amos Lee & David Gray
June 23 Tchaikovsky with Fireworks with The Philadelphia Orchestra
June 25 The Godfather Live with The Philadelphia Orchestra
June 26 A Night of Gershwin with The Philadelphia Orchestra
June 27 John Fogerty - 1969
June 28 Barenaked Ladies with Violent Femmes & Colin Hay
June 29 Brian Wilson with special guest Rodriguez
June 30 Ingrid Michaelson at the Skyline Stage with special guests Jukebox The Ghost & Secret Someones
July 9 Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! presented by NPR
July 11 Christina Perri & Colbie Caillat
July 13 Inca Son, Young People’s Concert Series 2015
July 16 Idina Menzel
July 18 Seth MacFarlane with the Baltimore Symphony
July 23 The Fellowship of the Ring with The Philadelphia Orchestra
July 24 Diana Krall with The Philadelphia Orchestra
July 25 All-Beethoven with The Philadelphia Orchestra
July 27 Rock School for Dance Education, Young People’s Concert Series 2015
July 28 Milky Chance at Skyline Stage with special guests X Ambassadors
July 29 Jason Isbell at Skyline Stage
July 31 Weird Al” Yankovic – Mandatory World Tour
August 1 Faith No More at Skyline Stage with special guests Refused
August 8 Tedeschi Trucks Band with Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
August 3 Rising Stars of Tomorrow, Young People’s Concert Series 2015
August 5 The Piano Guys
August 8 Three Kings, Young People’s Concert Series 2015
August 11 Phish
August 12 Phish
August 29 Reggae In The Park Presents: Catch A Fire Tour with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen “Ragga” Marley,
Morgan Heritage, Tarrus Riley
September 15 Of Monsters and Men at the Skyline Stage
September 17 Alabama Shakes with special guests Drive-by Truckers
September 18 The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses - Master Quest with Live Orchestra
About the Mann
As one of the most important outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann presents premiere artists in a world-class, entertainment destination in association with AEG Live. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B and pop take the stage here, and today’s success is a nod to the venue’s storied history. The Mann has been the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra since the 1930s and presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since then. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 170,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s acoustically acclaimed pavilion; picnics, blankets and music under the stars on its famous lawn; and dining in Crescendo, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant. For more information, visit www.manncenter.org.
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the preeminent orchestras in the world, renowned for its distinctive sound, desired for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for a legacy of innovation in music-making. The Orchestra is inspiring the future and transforming its rich tradition of achievement, sustaining the highest level of artistic quality, but also challenging—and exceeding—that level, by creating powerful musical experiences for audiences at home and around the world. Yannick Nézet-Séguin continues his inspired leadership as the eighth music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, which began in the fall of 2012. His highly collaborative style, deeply-rooted musical curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm, paired with a fresh approach to orchestral programming, have been heralded by critics and audiences alike. Musician-led initiatives shine a spotlight on the Orchestra’s musicians, as they spread out from the stage into the community, and the Orchestra’s numerous education and community partnership initiatives are an important focus of the organization’s offerings. For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.
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