The Wisconsin Philharmonic Announces 65th Anniversary Season

March 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Waukesha, WI – British composers invade Waukesha as The Wisconsin Philharmonic announces their 65th Anniversary Season, “The British Spirit”.  Adding to the concert-goer’s experience, The Philharmonic is providing additional concert activities for each concert that will bring them closer to the artists.  This historic season includes the following five powerful concerts:

Corigliano & Elgar
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 7:30pm
Oconomowoc Arts Center
With a nod to Giuseppe Verdi’s upcoming centenary, the tense excitement of his Overture to the opera The Sicilian Vespers opens the season. Violinist Lara St. John will spotlight the World Premiere of the new Violin Concerto by American master John Corigliano, orchestrated by Martin Kennedy. Rounding out the program is Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
*Preconcert at 6:30pm: All ticket holders are invited to receive commentary from John Corigliano and Martin Kennedy before the concert as they discuss the World Premiere of the Violin Concerto.

Salute to Our Veterans: Battle of Britain
Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 3pm (Veterans Day)
Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University
Former President of the Chicago Symphony, Henry Fogel, narrates an afternoon celebrating the words and music from this unforgettable WWII era. Music stretches from Barber’s Night Flight and Vaughan Williams’ theme from 49th Parallel to Walton’s Crown Imperial March and Lowden’s medley, Armed Forces Salute. In addition, the young, Iranian-American special guest pianist Soheil Nasseri adds an international flare to Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto.
*Preconcert at 2:00pm: All ticket holders are invited to learn about the music to be heard as Maestro Alexander Platt leads a pre-concert discussion.

A Royal Christmas
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 7:30pm
featuring the Concert Choirs of Waukesha North and Waukesha West High Schools
Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University
Relive such classics as Rutter’s Star Carol, selections from Handel’s Messiah, and the most beloved British Christmas carols with the help of some of the county’s finest high school choirs. A more contemporary chord will be struck with a suite from the music for Titanic and a medley from My Fair Lady.
*Preconcert at 6:30pm: The public is invited to have their picture taken with Santa before the concert.

English Elegance
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 3pm
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Waukesha
St. Paul’s Suite from Holst and Elgar’s Serenade for Strings will open the concert and lead to The Philharmonic’s tribute to Benjamin Britten’s centenary with his beloved Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings with tenor Vale Rideout and horn player Matthew Bronstein. Britten’s Simple Symphony will round out an elegant afternoon.
*Post-concert to follow: All ticket holders are invited to stay after the concert to participate in a post-concert talkback featuring Vale Rideout and Matthew Bronstein.

Cosmic Grandeur
Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 3pm
featuring Andrew Armstrong, piano; Brookfield East High School Women’s Ensemble
Oconomowoc Arts Center
Opening the concert will be Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, chosen by the public during the 2011-2012 Audience Choice Poll. The concert continues with two of the greatest masterpieces in the symphonic repertoire: Tchaikovsky’s captivating First Piano Concerto with the fiery young American pianist Andrew Armstrong and Gustav Holst’s grand orchestral suite, The Planets.
*Season Encore Birthday Bash to follow

In addition to these concert experiences, The Philharmonic is also announcing their Season Encore Birthday Bash, scheduled for April 28, 2013 at 5:30pm.  They will be celebrating the end of a miraculous 65th Anniversary Season immediately following the Season Finale concert, Cosmic Grandeur. In the intimate setting of the Oconomowoc Arts Center’s Little Theatre, guest artist Andrew Armstrong and students from The Philharmonic’s Masterworks Chamber Music Coaching program will provide an encore performance of chamber music repertoire. Following the performance, guests will enjoy celebratory birthday cake as they meet and get to know Mr. Armstrong and the talented young chamber ensemble. Tickets to this event are $25 per person and are sold separately from subscription and season finale concert ticket purchases. Seating is limited to the first 115 people.

Subscription packages range from $115 to $155 and can be purchased online, in person, or over the phone at 262-547-1858.  All subscriptions purchased before June 30, 2012 will receive one additional complimentary ticket to a concert of their choice.  Check www.wisconsinphilharmonic.org  for more details.

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The Wisconsin Philharmonic has dedicated over 60 years to bringing exceptional symphonic music and cultural experiences to Waukesha County and surrounding communities. As one of the most seasoned and successful orchestras in southeast Wisconsin, the organization presents five to six subscription concerts annually at various Waukesha County locations, including: Carroll University, the Oconomowoc Arts Center, and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. The Wisconsin Philharmonic, along with the Friends of Note, also facilitates educational opportunities and scholarship programs for students throughout the area.