Kimmel Center Announces 10th ANNIVERSARY 2011/12 SUBSCRIPTION SEASON
MAY 9, 2011
Celebrating
The Kimmel Center’s 10th anniversary yearlong celebration includes 10 performances that honor Philadelphia hometown artists, the city’s brightest stars, and also puts the spotlight on the resident companies that make their home on the Kimmel Center’s campus (Kimmel Center,
The Kimmel Center will also be highlighting its resident companies throughout the 10th anniversary season long celebration including: The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, performing with pianist Yuja Wang The Philadelphia Legacy (Dec. 8-11), a reprise of two Philadelphia premieres: Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra, which first premiered in Verizon Hall in its opening season, and Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; a Philadelphia Chamber Music Society recital by bass-baritone player and Curtis Institute graduate Eric Owens (Feb. 28); the Philadelphia premiere of Elegy for Young Lovers, a co-presentation by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Curtis Institute, and the Kimmel Center (Mar. 14-16); Philadanco presents The Philadelphia Connection including a world premiere by hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris Puremovement (Apr. 20-22); and Pennsylvania Ballet performs the company premiere of N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz, Barber Violin Concerto by Philly native Samuel Barber, and World Premier by Matthew Neenan (May 31-June 3).
Additional 10th anniversary season highlights include the Broadway show FELA!, produced by Philly native Will Smith and associate producer ?uestlove, at the Academy of Music (Mar. 20-25); and the world premiere of Dark Sisters, a new co-commission with the Gotham Chamber Opera and Music-Theatre Group (June 8).
In total, the
“We are delighted to announce the
Additional programs and performances for the
Subscription series and flexible “Create Your Own” packages of three or more events are currently available with the opportunity to save 15 percent off single ticket prices to the
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2011/12 Season Highlights Include:
Grammy Award Winners k.d. lang and Audra McDonald Kick Off the Season with Performances in Verizon Hall
Jazz Up Close Series Celebrates Philadelphia Legends the Heath Brothers, Benny Golson, Lee Morgan, and McCoy Tyner with performances by Select Musicians who Bring their Artistry to Life
Other Jazz Highlights Include Performances by Pianist Herbie Hancock and Jazz Bassist - Singer Esperanza Spalding; and Latin Jazz Pianist Chucho Valdés and the Afro Cuban Messengers with special guests the Danilo Pérez Trio
Great Orchestras Series includes John Eliot Gardiner with Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique; Alan Gilbert and Joyce DiDonato with the New York Philharmonic; and Joshua Bell with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Organ Recitals Series Returns with Marilyn Keiser, Jeremy Filsell, Jeffrey Brillhart with The Canadian Brass, and a tribute to long time Curtis teacher John Weaver performing on The Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ and Concludes with a
Free Community Organ Day
Keyboard Conversations Continues with Jeffrey Siegel Performing A Beethoven Bonanza!, From Heart to Art; The Romantic Music of Franz Liszt; and The Power and Passion of Brahms
A Mosaic of Performances including Tony Bennett, Blues-Rock Star Joe Bonamassa, Violin Superstar Itzhak Perlman; Guitarist Paco de Lucía, Glee Star Idina Menzel; Max Raabe & Palast Orchester; The Chieftains with Paddy Maloney; Jerry Blavat Sound Show Spectacular; The National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China; Drumline Live, American Marching Band Experience; the Gazillion Bubble Show; Mannheim Steamroller Holiday Performance; Celebrity Chefs Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert; David Sedaris; and
The Philadelphia Premiere of Elegy for Young Lovers by Composer Hans Werner Henze, a Curtis Institute, Opera Company of Philadelphia, and
Philadanco Presents For Your Pleasure Fall Concert with Philadelphia Premiere by Choreographer Hope Boykin and The Philadelphia Connection Spring Concert with World Premiere by Rennie Harris Puremovement
GREAT ORCHESTRAS
Continuing a decade-long tradition of hosting the world’s most distinguished orchestras in Verizon Hall, this season the Kimmel Center’s Great Orchestras series brings conductor John Eliot Gardiner leading Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique; the New York Philharmonic with Alan Gilbert conducting and featuring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato; and violinist Joshua Bell joining and directing Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
Kicking off the Great Orchestra season on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, one of the world’s finest period-instrument ensembles, makes its highly anticipated
“The conductor John Eliot Gardiner has generally represented the best of the early-music movement.” —The New York Times
On Friday, February 24, 2012, the historic and internationally renowned New York Philharmonic makes its first
“A mezzo cast in milk chocolate, so smooth and agile…then there is the instinctive charisma: she is always engaging … and always intelligently shaping the verse and text.” – The Times
“A stupendous performance. The emotion surged through the music.” – The New Yorker
Violin phenomenon Joshua Bell joins the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields on Monday, April 16, 2012, when the riveting ensemble presents Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183 and Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216, as well as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60. Performing dual roles as soloist and director,
"The dazzling execution, powerful expression and beautiful tone are mesmerizing and, as a guest director,
CLASSICAL
On Tuesday, December 6, 2011, violin superstar Itzhak Perlman, who participated in the
“Forty years into an international career, Itzhak Perlman still has the power to captivate an audience. Charismatic stage presence, superb technique, mastery of a wide repertoire and an unfailing ability to communicate distinguish the violinist, who is widely recognized as one of the great virtuosos of his generation...” —Contra Costa Times
What happens when a ruthless poet looks to an unlikely cast of characters to provide his artistic inspiration? For those who find themselves in the company of poet Gregor Mittenhofer, the results may be as dramatic as the deadly snowstorm swirling around them. Curtis Opera Theatre’s Elegy for Young Lovers makes its
ORGAN RECITAL SERIES
The 2011/12 Organ Recital Series celebrates the awe-inspiring power of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ—which ranks as the largest mechanical-action concert hall organ in the
The series opens with the ever-graceful Marilyn Keiser. A beloved organ teacher and in-demand recitalist, Keiser’s mesmerizing playing breaths new light into classic and contemporary works, both live and on any of her numerous recordings for Loft Recordings and Pro Organo. Heard on NPR stations throughout the country, Keiser displays her tremendous talent in a performance of works by Mendelssohn, Rheinberger, Locklair, Vierne, Howells, and Paulus on Saturday, November 5, 2011.
“She represents to the organ world what the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis did to
On Saturday, January 21, 2012, internationally noted Jeremy Filsell, one of only a few virtuoso performers on both piano and organ and an Artist-in-Residence at Washington National Cathedral, makes his
“I must register a certain shock at the sheer brilliance of [Filsell’s] playing.”—Gramophone
Five tremendous brass musicians form the widely acclaimed Canadian Brass. One of today’s most popular brass ensembles, The Canadian Brass has earned the distinction of “the world’s most famous brass group.” On Saturday, March 10, 2012, distinguished local organist Jeffrey Brillhart, director of music and fine arts at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, joins the ensemble in a program for families and organ enthusiasts.
“These are the men who put brass music on the map: with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor, they brighten the rosters of concert halls, international festivals and orchestra series throughout the world. Their numerous recordings, frequent television appearances and tireless efforts in the realm of music education have resulted in vast new audiences for the art of the Canadian Brass.” —The
On Saturday, April 21, 2012, the
“… a performer whose technique, musicianship, stylistic acuity and taste make for interpretations of uncommon clarity, poise and good sense.” —The New York Times
Organ enthusiasts are also invited to attend a free Community Organ Day on Saturday, June 9, 2012, held in honor of the
KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS® with JEFFREY SIEGEL
Beloved by
"In the best of all possible worlds, every concert would be like one of Jeffrey Siegel's Keyboard Conversations." — The
Opening the series, on Monday, October 10, 2011, Siegel navigates Beethoven’s genius during A Beethoven Bonanza! From the composer’s lighthearted, humorous Sonata No. 3 in C Major; to his tragic and fiery Sonata Pathétique and transcendent Sonata No. 30 in E Major, the program navigates Beethoven’s myriad moods.
On Monday, January 9, 2012, Siegel focuses on the 19th Century’s quintessential “rock star,” Franz Liszt. From Heart to Art: The Romantic Music of Franz Liszt, the second Keyboard Conversations®, highlights Liszt’s sizzling virtuosity and seductive lyricism. Siegel deconstructs the composer’s most beloved works, from the ever-popular Liebesträume (Dreams of Love) to the exuberant—and notoriously demanding—Hungarian Rhapsodies.
With The Power and Passion of Brahms on Monday, April 9, 2012, Siegel concludes his series. This evening’s Conversation explores the intricacies of Brahms’ most treasured compositions, including the narrative Ballades, Op. 10 and the smoldering Rhapsodies, Op. 79.
“Jeffrey Siegel has everything: massive technique, musical sensitivity and character, wide tonal resources, immense reserves of power, and the ability to communicate.” —
JAZZ UP CLOSE CELEBRATES PHILLY'S JAZZ LEGACY
During the 10th Anniversary 2011/12 Season, the
The series kicks off on Saturday, October 15, 2011, when Jazz Up Close celebrates the Heath Brothers. The three brothers have had tremendous impact on the world of jazz as instrumentalists, composers, and arrangers—most notably with their genre-blending style that fuses hard-bop, big band, smooth jazz, and even hip-hop. The event features National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master Jimmy Heath, a prolific musician who has contributed to more than 100 albums, performed with nearly all the jazz legends of the past 50 years, composed a wide variety of works, and taught at the most prestigious music programs in the nation. Performing with him is his younger brother, Albert “Tootie” Heath, one of the jazz greats known for his jazz hard-bop drumming skills. He has recorded extensively with some of the top jazz musicians of all time including John Coltrane, Bennie Green, Nina Simone and Herbie Hancock, to name a few.
A composer, arranger, lyricist, producer, and tenor saxophonist of world note,
Benny Golson boasts an illustrious career that exemplifies the spirit of innovation and has redefined standard definitions of “jazz.” On Saturday, December 3, 2011, Jazz Up Close honors Golson’s major contributions to the jazz world, which include the writing of eight standards for jazz repertoire. All eight have found their way into countless international recordings—and are still being recorded today. The featured artist for this event is yet to be announced.
Hard-bop trumpeter Lee Morgan recorded his most celebrated solo with an angled-bell trumpet (given to him by Dizzy Gillespie) on John Coltrane’s Blue Train. On Saturday, February 25, 2012, The Terell Stafford Trio pay homage to this iconic composer, arranger, and musician, who died all too young at the age of 33, with a uniquely expressive program that combines lyricism and a deep love of melody. Stafford, the director of Jazz Studies at
Jazz Up Close Artistic Advisor and Grammy Award-winner Danilo Pérez and friends close the series on Saturday, April 14, 2012 with an evening celebrating McCoy Tyner. Known for a style that transcends traditional piano technique, Tyner has collaborated with jazz greats from Miles Davis to John Coltrane and has recorded dozens of solo albums. Pérez, among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time, has attracted both critical and audience acclaim for his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the
JAZZ
On Saturday, October 8, 2011, illustrious jazz and R&B artist Herbie Hancock returns to
At just 26 years-old, Esperanza Spalding can claim, among other accolades, a full feature profile in The New Yorker, two appearances at the White House, a place on O, The Oprah Magazine’s “Women on the Rise” list, and a Banana Republic advertising campaign. On Friday, October 14, 2011, Spalding, the first jazz musician to win a Grammy Award for Best New Artist, gives
“Back by public demand, the wondrous Esperanza Spalding and her string-boosted Chamber Music Society treated
The New York Times hails Chucho Valdés as "the dean of Latin jazz" and "one of the world’s great virtuosic pianists.” The Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer, and arranger has recorded more than 80 albums, won multiple Grammy Awards, and performed with countless jazz masters, including Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, and Chick Corea. On Thursday, January 26, 2012, the
“Whether Chucho Valdés is performing a gentle ballad or a rousing foot-stomper, his joy in playing and his love of the music always shines through. He can tickle the ivories with the soft grace of Bill Evans and dazzle with the thunderous dexterity of Art Tatum or Oscar Peterson.”—All About Jazz
MOSAIC
From rising stars to legendary performers from
Presented in association with Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, TRACES makes its Philadelphia Premiere at the Merriam Theater from Thursday, September 15, 2011 to Sunday, September 18, 2011. This high-energy urban acrobatic performance combines traditional acrobatics with street elements like skateboarding and basketball; mixed with theater and contemporary dance, the show surprises, awes, and delights at every turn.
It’s been 25 years since k.d. lang first signed with a major record label. Many Grammy Awards, acclaimed albums, and star-studded collaborations later, the Canadian singer-songwriter continues to break boundaries and cross musical lines. On Thursday, September 29, 2011, she and the Siss Boom Bang band hit
In 2001, four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald performed during the
“With a sweet belt and solid stage presence, Audra McDonald can fill the largest of spaces with her vocal and acting talents. But what makes her concerts so engaging is her ability to achieve an intimacy with an audience… the truth is that when it comes to McDonald's voice, one is just never going to get enough of it.”—
On Saturday, October 15, 2011, David Sedaris, today’s pre-eminent humor writer, shares his highly sardonic wit and incisive social critique during an evening of laugh-out-loud storytelling in the Merriam Theater. The NPR humorist and best-selling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked, When You are Engulfed in Flames, and the recently released Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary, always fills the seats.
“Sedaris’s droll assessment of the mundane and the eccentrics who inhabit the world’s crevices make him one of the greatest humorists writing today.” —
Drumline Live kicks off its second
"We've taken the excitement of an HBCU football game halftime show, increased the intensity by a thousand watts, and created a musical journey that will touch every emotion." —Don P. Roberts, Creator and Director
On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, internationally acclaimed chef, author, and No Reservations host (Travel Channel), Anthony Bourdain sits with Eric Ripert, renowned chef of Le Bernardin restaurant, author, and a regular guest on Bravo's Top Chef, for a frank—and sure to be lively—conversation about their front-of-the-line insights into the restaurant business and food experiences at the Merriam Theater. Presented in association with Mills Entertainment.
Tony Award winner and a regular on Fox’s runaway hit Glee, Idina Menzel is known for her powerhouse talent on stage, as well as on the large and small screens. A skillful songwriter who writes and performs her own music, Menzel also masterfully assumes roles in on- and off-Broadway productions as diverse as Rent, Wicked, The Wild Party, Aida, Hair, and The Vagina Monologues. The dynamic songstress brings her diverse repertoire to the
The incomparable Tony Bennett touches the souls of people around the world. A United Nations’ Citizen of the World award,
"If one man can lay claim to the great American songbook, it is Tony Bennett...They don't make them like that anymore." —The Daily Telegraph
All ages love the Gazillion Bubble Show, a mind blowing 85 minutes of bubble magic. Dazzling lasers, spectacular lighting effects, and jaw-dropping masterpieces of bubble artistry inspire smiles and endless fun. Featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The David Letterman Show, LIVE! with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and The Today Show, among others, the bubbles come to
“The Gazillion Bubble Show earns its claim on the word spectacular.” — NYtheatre.com
Award-winning blues-rock star, guitar hero, and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa and his band make their
“Wicked guitar thrills.” – The
Founded in 1950, The National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China (China National Acrobatic Troupe) was the first national performing arts troupe established by the government of the People’s Republic of
The No. one selling Christmas artist of all time, Mannheim Steamroller returns to the
A venerable
Max Raabe & the Palast Orchester recreate the
Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucía, who made his
"Paco de Lucía, as the most revered Spanish flamenco musician over the last 40 years, has pushed flamenco's traditional roots both backward and forward.” —The New York Times
In the Fall, Philadanco performs For Your Pleasure (Nov 5-6) with a
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Subscription series and “Create Your Own” Series for the
ABOUT THE KIMMEL CENTER
Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the
The 2011/12 season is sponsored by Citi. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.
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