Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHO: The Austin Symphony Orchestra
DATE: July 31 2007
CONTACT: Don Hill, Director of Public Relations - 476-6064 x 213

AUSTIN SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES 97TH CONCERT SEASON
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY

Season Sponsor: JPMorgan Chase
Media Sponsors: Time Warner Cable/News 8 Austin, Austin American-Statesman and Majic 95.5 FM

The Austin Symphony Orchestra announces its 97th concert season beginning on September 14, 2007. The ASO will offer continue its journey through the Beethoven symphonies in a season that includes a series of eight classical concert pairs, family concerts, Holiday events and the Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series, all spanning September through May, 2008. Gaining on a century of service to the community, the Austin Symphony is performing more concerts, reaching more people and working harder to serve the people of Austin and Central Texas than ever before.

Highlighting the ASO's season will be its residence in West Austin's Riverbend Centre. The orchestra's temporary home comes in the transition from Bass Concert Hall, closed for renovations, to the state-of-the-art Long Center for the Performing Arts, due for its official opening in September 2008. This season also continues the ASO's two-year festival of Beethoven symphonies. The ASO launches its astounding classical season September 14th & 15th with legendary pianist Philippe Entremont performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. On October 19th & 20th, the Austin Symphony showcases ASO concertmaster Jessica Mathaes with performances of the Violin Concerto of Armenian composer Aram Khatchaturian, as well as Borodin's Symphony No. 2.

Concerts on November 16th & 17th pay tribute to music masters in three periods. The ASO works backward in music history with performances of William Bolcom's Commedia, Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 and the Magnificat in D by J. S. Bach. Guest artists joining the ASO include sopranos Melissa Givens and Stefanie Moore, alto Stephanie Prewitt, tenor David Stevens, bass Brett Barnes and the Choirs of St. David's Episcopal Church.

The New Year brings the return to Austin of phenomenal pianist Benedetto Lupo on January 11th & 12th. This wintry concert features Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and the First Piano Concerto of Johannes Brahms.

The exquisite poise and tenderness of soprano Brenda Harris will highlight a "not-to-be-missed" pair of evenings February 15th & 16th. Ms. Harris will perform the "Four Last Songs" of Richard Strauss. She will be joined onstage later by soprano Mela Dailey and mezzo-soprano Jennifer Lane to perform the Act 3 Trio and Finale from Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier. Also featured on this concert is Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.

Performances on March 14th & 15th will be filled with the glory of the keyboard and reeds. Piano superstar André Watts joins the ASO in performances of Camille Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2. This concert also showcases ASO Principal Oboist Beth Sanders playing L'Horloge de Flore (The Flower Clock) by Jean Francaix.

In April 2008, the ASO moves to the Long Center for its remaining concerts of the season to aid in acoustically "tuning" the new Dell Foundation Hall. Rehearsing and playing to an audience in the new hall will assist acousticians perfect the Dell Hall for its official grand opening in September 2008.

April 4th and 6th's concert pair stars the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet in an evening of works by Spanish composers. Featured composers include Berio, Granados and Falla, as well as a performance of Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto Andaluz.

May 16th & 17th closes out the ASO's season with one of the world's best-known composers and his best-known work. It is an all-Beethoven evening as Maestro Peter Bay and the ASO present Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 and Symphony No. 9. Chorus Austin joins the ASO for Beethoven's Ninth, as well as soprano, Mary Dunleavy, mezzo Adriana Zabala, tenor Karl Dent and bass Donnie Ray Albert.

The Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series once again presents to Austin audiences the best in symphonic pops entertainment with an impressive list of award-winning artists. The series begins October 6th with Bobby Vinton at Riverbend Centre. The "Total Entertainer" pulls out all the stops in this full-stage musical gala featuring his hits "Blue Velvet," "Roses are Red" and "Mr. Lonely." On December 30th & 31st, the Palmer Events Center comes alive with the sound of Sinatra. Vocalist Steve Lippia presents "Simply Sinatra," in an evening you don't want to miss. With hits like "My Kind of Town," "New York, New York" and "I've Got You Under My Skin," you'll swear Steve is the Chairman of the Board himself.

February Pops features the Austin Symphony debut of Air Supply. With over 20 million albums and 10 million singles sold world-wide, Air Supply's trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock's soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell's majestic songs have forever engraved their name in music history. You do not want to miss this special concert of love songs such as "Lost in Love," "The One That You Love," "Sweet Dreams" and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All." Promenade Pops closes the Butler Pops Series when Broadway invades the Palmer Events Center. You won't want to miss The Three Phantoms in Concert, featuring the talents of Broadway stars Craig Schulman, Kevin Gray and Cris Groenendaal. Each have played the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera and bring solos, duets and trios from hit Broadway shows such as Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Guys and Dolls, Kiss Me Kate, Damn Yankees and Sweeney Todd. This is your chance to hear all your favorite musicals being performed in one night by three of Broadway's greatest star.

Austin Holiday traditions continue December 4th when the Austin Symphony presents Handel's Messiah at Riverbend Centre. Chorus Austin and guest soloists join the ASO for an evening that is always a sell-out. The annual free Family Christmas Sing-Along sets "Silver Bells" ringing on December 18th, also at Riverbend Centre.

Our Family Concert takes place on the evening of June 7th at the Symphony Square Amphitheater with a performance by The Biscuit Brothers.

Celebrating 97 years, the Austin Symphony continues to be the leading professional performing arts organization in Central Texas by remaining true to its mission: To enhance the cultural quality of life for the adults and young people of Austin and Central Texas by providing excellence in music performance and educational programming. Be a part of the excitement! Call the Austin Symphony for more information on programs and events that best suit your time and interest. Contact the ASO at (512) 476-6064 or (888) 4-MAESTRO, or visit us online at www.austinsymphony.org.