Philharmonic announces 2010-11 season

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The following has been provided by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic:

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic announced its 2010-11 season Thursday, its first full season with Music Director Andrew Constantine at its helm. “We are so excited about the upcoming 2010-11 season,” stated J.L. Nave, president and CEO. ”Andrew has instantly engaged so many people with his ideas and vision for our future. I have no doubt the programs he has planned for us next season are just the beginning of many tremendous years of music for our region.”

CLASSICAL PROGRAMMING

Andrew Constantine spent several weeks meeting with Phil staff regarding programming, guest artists, and the revamping of the chamber series. The result is an excellent mix of traditional and new. “I'm very proud of the new season's programming,” stated Constantine. “To be able to bring such thrilling music and great soloists to an audience as enthusiastic as Fort Wayne is a conductor's joy! This is going to be a fabulous year.”

The 2010-11 Madge Rothschild Foundation Masterworks Series Opening Night on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 6:00pm will feature world-renowned violinist Gil Shaham performing Barber’s Violin Concerto. This occasion also marks Music Director Andrew Constantine’s first concert of his first season as full-time Music Director. An opening night dinner will follow the concert in the Grand Wayne Center.

Other highlights include:

· An exciting, ethereal work from composer Christopher Theofanidis, titled “Rainbow Body”

· New York Philharmonic’s principal oboist, Liang Wang, performing Strauss’ Oboe Concerto

· A season finale of Michael Daugherty’s “Hell’s Angels,” a theatrical and concert hall shaking presentation, featuring The Phil’s bassoonists, Dennis Fick and Anne Devine.

Guest artists for the Madge Rothschild Foundation Masterworks season also include Dr. Mario Livio, narrator for “Rainbow Body”; Jean Louis Steuerman and William Wolfram, piano; Amit Peled, cello; and the 2010 Indianapolis Violin Competition Winner. Guest conductors include James Judd and JoAnn Falletta.

The chamber series, formerly known as Spectrum, has been renovated with its new title as the Lincoln Financial Foundation Signature Series. This series has been revitalized to be more engaging and accessible. Three sub-series have been created to appeal to a wider audience.

· Casual – a four-concert chamber series with a unique presentation of audience interaction, video elements, and more. Fridays at 7:00pm at the Arts United Center, with a Happy Hour preceding each concert in the Rolland Gallery

· Connoisseur – a four-concert chamber series presented in a more traditional concert format. Sundays at 2:30pm at the Arts United Center

· Choral – The Phil Chorus will be featured on this three-concert series in works created for chorus and chamber orchestra. Fridays at 7:00pm at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church.

Highlights from the Signature Series include:

· A biographical presentation of Beethoven’s life, concluding with a performance of his 7th symphony.

· Faure’s “Requiem”

· Signature Series specials will include our annual collaboration with the Fort Wayne Ballet, presenting the sentimental comic ballet Coppelia, as well as a sacred Christmas program for chamber orchestra at the Concordia Theological Seminary.

The Signature Series will feature soloists from The Phil, including Hikaru Tamaki, cello; Anne Preucil Lewellen, harp; and Derek Reeves, viola.

The Freimann Series will return to the newly renovated Fort Wayne Museum of Art. The Thursday morning performance will also continue, but as ‘coffee concerts’ with coffee and pastries available.

POPS PROGRAMMING

The Sweetwater Pops Series has a fun and energetic line-up scheduled. The five concerts are:

- A Tribute to Ray Charles with Ellis Hall – A night of soul comes to The Phil with the music of the legendary singer-songwriter Ray Charles, performed by his protégé, Ellis Hall. A multi-instrumentalist virtuoso and dynamic vocalist, Hall pays tribute to his friend in a concert dedicated to his music and memory with hits like “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Hit the Road Jack.”

· Dancing with the Stars – The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is proud to premiere a new concert from TV’s Dancing with the Stars – Symphony style! Featuring a handful of professional dancers, plus a star pro dancer from Dancing with the Stars, as well as special guests from American Idol.

- Holiday Pops – Holiday Pops is a favorite annual family tradition.

· ABBAmania – Take a trip back to the ‘70s with an amazing recreation of the look and sound of ABBA - fully orchestrated! With dazzling costumes and powerful vocals, ABBAMania will cover ABBA’s most popular songs, like “Mama Mia,” “Waterloo,” “Take A Chance on Me,” and more!

- A Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration – The Phil honors Broadway’s most iconic songwriting team with A Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration. Associate Conductor Bradley Thachuk leads performances of favorite tunes from