News Release: 60th Anniversary Season, 2011-2012

July 6, 2011

TITANIC AT THE CIVIC, ZANDER CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN, AND A COLLABORATION WITH AKRON ART MUSEUM HIGHLIGHT AKRON SYMPHONY’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

“Wicked” stars Julie Murney and Stephanie J. Block, soprano Dina Kuznetzova, and young phenoms George Li and Chad Hoopes announced for 2011-2012

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, and Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” among repertoire highlights

AKRON, OH—A staged production of the Tony Award-winning musical TITANIC, the return of Maestro Benjamin Zander for an evening of Beethoven and Brahms, and the World Premiere of Roger Zahab’s Akron Chronogram are just three highlights of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s 60th Anniversary season.

TITANIC by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone will be staged at the Akron Civic Theatre on Saturday, April 14, 2012, the 100th Anniversary of the ship’s fateful voyage. The production will feature the Akron Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Christopher Wilkins, and an ensemble cast of 40 performers portraying the roles of actual crew and passengers from the famous “ship of dreams.” The original Broadway production of TITANIC won five Tony Awards in 2007, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The Akron Symphony will use the historical context of TITANIC as a discussion point for educational outreach to local middle school, high school, and college students.

Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, returns to lead the Akron Symphony for Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Brahms’ beloved Symphony No. 4 on Saturday, November 12, 2011. The recent winner of Oberlin Conservatory’s Cooper International Piano Competition and recipient of the 2012 Gilmore Young Artist Award, pianist George Li will be featured in Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto.

The ASO’s final concert of the season on Saturday, April 21, 2012 will be a celebration of the past 60 years with a new multi-media work created by video artist Laura Ruth Bidwell and composer Roger Zahab, called Akron Chronogram. Also on the program will be Ansel Adams: America created by Dave Brubeck and his son Chris, featuring 100 photographs by the iconic American photographer. Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” will conclude the program.

Other Classics Series highlights include “Opera’s Greatest Moments” featuring the internationally acclaimed Akron resident Dina Kuznetsova (soprano), regional favorite Brian Keith Johnson (baritone), and the Akron Symphony Chorus on Saturday, October 15, 2011; “World Class Begins at Home,” a showcase of the remarkable musical standard found in Akron featuring seven virtuoso soloists from teenagers to veterans on Saturday, January 21, 2012; the reigning champion of all classical repertoire, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, with the Akron Symphony Chorus on Saturday, February 18, 2012; and the return of former ASO Assistant Conductor and newly appointed Music Director of the Cincinnati Pops John Morris Russell on Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Stars of the hit musical Wicked, Stephanie J. Block and Julia Murney, open the 2011-2012 Pops Series with “Wicked Divas,” a concert of divine diva showstoppers from The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Ragtime, Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz, and of course, Wicked on Saturday, November 19, 2011. Carl Topilow brings his trademark wit and impeccable musicianship back to lead the ASO for “Holiday Pops” on Friday, December 16, 2011.

Gospel Meets Symphony hits the stage for its 19th annual performance on Saturday, February 25, 2012 and the Akron Symphony Chorus will present its annual solo concert under Chorus Director Maria Sensi Sellner on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Saint Sebastian Church on Mull Avenue.

Season tickets to all seven Classics Series concerts are available now for first time buyers from $70 to $175.

Pops Series tickets are $30 to $75 for three concerts with the option of reserving up to one FREE series pass for a child or student (18 or under). Offer good to first time buyers only.

Those looking for more flexibility can create their own “season” pass by purchasing four (4) or more concerts at a savings of up to 15% off the price of a single ticket.

Season tickets may be purchased by mail, in person at the Akron Symphony ticket office (17 North Broadway), over the phone at 330.535.8131 or online at akronsymphony.org. ASO ticket office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.

NEWS FACTS
Akron Symphony 2011-2012 Season Repertoire Highlights:
Beethoven - 9th Symphony
Tchaikovsky - “Romeo and Juliet”
Brahms - Symphony No. 4
Bach – Brandenburg Concerto, No. 6
Dvorak – New World Symphony
Zahab – “Akron Chronogram” (World Premiere)
Yestin/Stone – TITANIC The Musical

Akron Symphony 2011-2012 Guest Artists:
Stephanie J. Block
Zachary Collins
Michael DeBruyn
Jody Guinn
Chad Hoopes
Brian Keith Johnson
Scott Johnston
Dina Kuznetsova
George Li
Hannah Moses
Julia Murney
Jessi Pasternak
John Morris Russell
Carl Topilow
Cynthia Warren
Benjamin Zander

Season Tickets On Sale Now:
- Seven Classics Series Concerts: $70-$175 for first-time buyers
- Three Pops Series Concerts: $30-$75 for first-time buyers
- Choose your own Series and save 15% off single ticket prices
- Order by phone: 330.535.8131
- Order online

QUOTES
Attributable to Christopher Wilkins, Music Director, Akron Symphony
“This year we showcase many of the area’s brightest talents in masterworks like Beethoven’s 9th symphony and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6. A true star of the international operatic stage who makes her home in Akron, Dina Kuznetsova, lights up our stage in October. And our January concert, ‘World Class Begins at Home,’ features seven area virtuosos – from teenagers to veterans – symbolizing what this year of celebration is all about.”

“The 60th Anniversary concert itself – ‘American Visions’ – continues one of our favorite partnerships. In a stunning visual-musical performance, the Akron Art Museum and the Symphony will co-present a work by two Akron natives, one a master of image the other a master of sound. The program concludes with Dvorak’s masterpiece, the ‘New World Symphony.’”

PHOTOS
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SUPPORT
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Akron Symphony with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The University of Akron also supports the Akron Symphony and its programs.

ABOUT THE AKRON SYMPHONY
For nearly 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, it is committed to meeting the needs of its community.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra began in 1949 when Mabel Lamborn Graham received $500 as “seed money” from the publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal with the instruction to begin raising money for a professional, union orchestra. After three years of intense fundraising, spearheaded by Mrs. Graham and other dedicated volunteers, the Akron Symphony’s Classic Series was established in the organization’s first season (1952-1953) to provide concerts performed by professional musicians of the highest caliber. Guest conductors and soloists of regional and national stature have been an integral part of the Classic Series since its onset, and remain a high priority for the Symphony.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA). GAMA is committed to providing quality symphonic an choral music, through performances and educational programs, to the largest number of people possible in the greater Akron area. This mission is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.

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Contact:
Jason Swank
Marketing & Public Relations Director
Akron Symphony
jswank@akronsymphony.org
(330)535-8131

Written by jswank · Filed Under News Releases