Kimmel Center Presents Announces 2005-2006 Season
September 15, 2005 – May 25, 2006
April 4, 2005
- Season Opens with American Songbook Great Tony Bennett and Philly Soul Legend Solomon Burke
- Danilo Pérez to Return with Mellon One Nation Under Jazz Series
- Mellon Jazz Fridays Series to Include 3rd Annual Philly All-Star Night, Chick Corea, and Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars
- James Levine To Make Verizon Hall Debut With Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Baritones Thomas Hampson and Dmitri Hvorostovsky to Give Recitals
- Mozart’s Genius Celebrated in 250th Birthday Tribute Concerts Debut of Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
- Kimmel Center Organ Festival in May 2006
- Violin Virtuoso Midori to perform on Fresh Ink Series
- First Full Season of See Hear! Series
- Soprano Sylvia McNair Celebrates Love on Valentine’s Day
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Perform with Vusi Mahlasela
- Tony Award-winning Dancer/Choreographer Savion Glover
- Spotlighted World Music Divas Include Emeline Michel, Eva Allyon, Mariza, Mary Black and Angelique Kidjo
Performances take place in both Verizon Hall and Perelman Theater.
“I’m delighted with how the 2005-2006 Kimmel Center Presents season has come together,” said Mehta. “It’s our strongest season yet, both in terms of its diversity of programming and the strength of the individual artists on the series. And, no matter what genre you like as a listener, we’ve been able to bring in the best of the best, with something for everyone.”
“One of the great strengths of the programming here at the Kimmel Center is its ability to reach across an extraordinarily wide range of genres and disciplines to present artists of the highest caliber for everyone here in Philadelphia,” said Kimmel Center Inc. President and CEO Janice Price. “Mervon Mehta’s depth of knowledge of such a huge inventory of music and musicians will give Philadelphia a wonderful season of programming next year. As the Kimmel Center enters its fifth season of programming and presentations, we are delighted that our concert halls take their place among the worlds’ great halls and that we are able to continue to give back to the community with these performances in a way that makes all Philadelphians feel good about the performing arts center they have built and supported.”
GREAT ORCHESTRAS ON TOUR SERIES
“Verizon Hall and Perelman Theater have now established themselves as prime destinations for artists on tour in the U.S. along with the other great halls between Washington, D.C. and Boston,” said Mervon Mehta. Five great American and European orchestras pay a visit to the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall on their U.S. and world tours this season.
The New York Philharmonic returns for their third performance in Verizon Hall, this season led by Spanish conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos with pianist André Watts performing Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 on Friday, December 9, 2005. The program also includes Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 and de Falla’s Three-Cornered Hat Suite Nos. 1 and 2.
Daniel Barenboim leads the Berlin Staatskapelle and performs as piano soloist in an all-Mozart program on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, celebrating the composer’s 250th birthday. The program includes Symphony Nos. 39 and 41, "Jupiter," and the Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major. After 400 years of continuous performance, this ensemble is “a precious reminder of the very special Central European sound.” (The Guardian, London)
The Boston Symphony Orchestra, with new music director James Levine, performs a virtuoso showcase program on their first visit to Verizon Hall with Levine as music director on Friday, March 10, 2006, including Richard Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Peter Lieberson’s brand new song cycle Neruda Songs with soloist soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Elliott Carter’s Three Illusions for Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.
Grammy-winning conductor Leonard Slatkin makes his Kimmel Center debut with Washington D.C.’s National Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 75th anniversary season, on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 and will be joined by pianist Emanuel Ax to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, as well as Samuel Barber’s Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, and Rimsky Korsakov’s Sheherazade.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, led by German conductor Manfred Honeck will help inaugurate the Kimmel Center’s new concert pipe organ, and will be joined by Bryn Mawr organist Jeffrey Brillhart to perform Poulenc’s Organ Concerto on Thursday, May 25, 2006. The program also includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The New York Times recently praised this orchestra as “a streamlined, virtuoso ensemble.”
MASTER MUSICANS SERIES
Verizon Hall also continues to be a favored stop among many of the world’s great soloists on tour and this year’s series of violinists, pianists and singers is no exception.
String Series
Violinist and Curtis School of Music graduate Hilary Hahn and pianist Natalie Zhu return to Verizon Hall and opens the Master Musicians series this year with a virtuoso program of works by Ysaÿe, Enescu, Milstein, Mozart and Beethoven, on Sunday, November 20, 2005.
Violinist-conductor Gil Shaham is joined by one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world, The Academy of St. Martin In The Fields, in a program that includes Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in honor of Mozart’s 250th birthday, as well as works by Arensky and Tchaikovsky on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. When two of the most popular violinists of our time, Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman, come together on one stage, it promises to be an extraordinary afternoon of joyous music making. Itzhak Perlman has entranced audiences since his first TV appearance at age 13, while Pinchas Zukerman received early mentoring from legendary performers Isaac Stern and Pablo Casals. Joined by pianist Rohan De Silva, this duo program includes works by Bach, Mozart, Leclair and Mozkowski on Sunday, April 23, 2006.
Piano Series
Hailed by critics for creating one of the finest summer music festivals in the world, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra bring their magic to the Kimmel Center in a program that includes Mozart Piano Concertos No’s 14 and 20, as well as Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 16, on Tuesday, January 17, 2006.
Since he emigrated from the former Soviet Union, piano virtuoso Yefim Bronfman has performed in many of the world’s greatest concert halls and has won both the Avery Fisher Prize and a Grammy Award. He performs on Sunday, April 9, 2006.
Lang Lang’s only Philadelphia appearance in the 2005-06 season is a solo recital in Verizon Hall on Tuesday, April 18, 2006. This extraordinary 22 year-old phenomenon, who has already played with every major orchestra in America, Europe, and Asia, performs a musically demanding program, including Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23, (“Appassionata”), Schumann’s Fantasie Op. 17.
Vocal Series
Celebrated American baritone Thomas Hampson shares his passion for American song on Sunday, January 8, 2006 in a special concert sponsored by the Library of Congress. This highly praised program is a rediscovery of our country’s finest music, including works by Barber, Copland, Ives, Rorem, and Duke. The deeply American melodies draw on Native American, African-American, and Southern folk traditions, and Thomas Hampson is “in top form—his voice virile and incisive.” (Washington Post)
Since winning the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 1989, charismatic baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky has become Russia’s most internationally famous vocalist. Hvorostovsky makes his long-awaited Kimmel Center debut on Wednesday, May 10, 2006.
The Philadelphia Singers, led by conductor David Hayes, joins forces with the Mannes College of Music Orchestra to perform Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis on Sunday, May 14, 2006. Vocal soloists tba.
VERIZON HALL ORGAN FESTIVAL AND DEDICATION
In May 2006, The Kimmel Center unveils its brand new completed pipe organ by builder Lynn Dobson with an organ festival comprised of 14 events over 2 weeks. The Dobson organ, Op. 76, will rank as one of the largest concert hall organs in the world when complete, with 6,938 pipes, three blowers, 300 levels of memory, 111 stops, pipe sizes ranging from that of about the size of a drinking straw up to two feet square by 32 feet in length, and a total weight of app. 32 tons. Verizon Hall will close for six weeks in the summer of 2005 to complete the installation. “When complete, the new organ will significantly expand the repertoire and programming possibilities for both Kimmel Center Presents and The Philadelphia Orchestra,” said Mervon Mehta, “I can’t wait!”
The organ will be inaugurated by The Philadelphia Orchestra at a concert on May 11, 2006, led by Music Director Maestro Christoph Eschenbach. The program will include a new work commissioned by the Kimmel Center and The Philadelphia Orchestra from composer Gerald Levinson, as well as Barber’s Toccata festiva (premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Eugene Ormandy in 1960) and Michel Corrette’s (1707-1795) Organ Concerto in C Major, Op. 26, No. 4, all performed by Olivier Latry, organist of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. Also on the program will be Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, “Organ,” with organist Michael Stairs. The concert will be followed by a postlude performance of improvised organ music by Latry.
On Saturday, May 13, 2006, from 1pm to 5pm, there will be a marathon of short recitals by guest organists. (Schedule and artists tba)
The Philadelphia Singers, led by conductor David Hayes, will join forces with the Mannes College of Music Orchestra on Sunday, May 14, 2006 to perform Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. Also on the program will be the world premiere performance of a commission of a new work for solo organ.
The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform Kodály’s rarely heard Missa brevis for organ and chorus with organist Michael Stairs, followed by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, on May 19 and 20, 2006.
On Saturday, May 20, 2006, the Mum Puppettheatre will treat families to a performance with organ accompaniment by Wanamaker organist Peter Conte. The program will include Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and Mussorgsky’s A Night on Bald Mountain. (Philadelphia-area students will have a special opportunity to hear this program on May 25.)
Harking back to an era of silent films with improvised organ music, organist Tom Trenney will accompany the presentation of two silent film masterpieces on Sunday May 21, 2006, including Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush at 3pm and Douglas Fairbanks’ Mark of Zorro at 7pm.
The festival concludes on Thursday, May 25, 2006 with a performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra led by German conductor Manfred Honeck. Bryn Mawr organist Jeffrey Brillhart performs Poulenc’s Organ Concerto and the program also includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.
KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS® WITH JEFFREY SIEGEL
Education continues to play an important role in the musical landscape of the Kimmel Center. New this year as a highlight of the Center’s ongoing Mondays at the Merck adult education classes is a series of three concerts with conversation led by internationally acclaimed pianist and music educator Jeffrey Siegel. “Jeffrey Siegel uses discussion, demonstration and complete performances of works we all ‘believe’ we know well, to unveil the minds behind the music. Whatever your level of knowledge—novice or expert—you’ll begin to listen in a whole new way,” said Mehta.
The series begins on Monday, November 7, 2005 with The Power and Passion of Beethoven, and a look at “Für Elise:” Who was she and why did Beethoven write this poetic music for her? Siegel then explores the “Moonlight” sonata to see how the composer purposely created a shocking, revolutionary work, as well as the “Les Adieux” sonata, inspired by the departure of a very special person from Beethoven’s life.
On Monday, February 20, 2006, the series continues with There’s More to Mozart than Amadeus. Siegel explores the astonishing variety of Mozart’s music, from the imaginative Variations on the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” to the dynamic Sonata in A minor, written following his mother’s death, as well as contrasting Fantasies from Mozart and his friend Haydn. This program also includes the Philadelphia premiere of the unpublished Six Concertpartituren by Mozart’s great rival, Salieri.
This new series concludes on Monday March 20, 2006 with The Sensuous Sonorities of Chopin. Siegel brings the Romantic Era to life with Chopin, who used the keyboard as a medium for an infinite variety of tonal sonorities. Works include the Fantasie Impromptu, from which the popular song “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” was drawn, plus a Berceuse, a Polonaise, a very early Nocturne and the rarely heard Tarantella.
FRESH INK SERIES
The Kimmel Center Presents Fresh Ink Series continues to present the new and unusual in contemporary music with both established and younger artists with three presentations this year in the Perelman Theater.
Fresh Ink begins its musical explorations on Thursday, November 10, 2005 with Wu Man, a virtuoso of the ancient Chinese lute known as the pipa. Her performance will feature a new work by composer Chen Yi, which explores the relationship of traditional music making to calligraphy, both of which were considered essential life skills in ancient China. Wu Man performed with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and has been hailed as “the artist most responsible for bringing the pipa to the Western World.” (The Los Angeles Times)
Mozart: Reloaded, curated by award-winning composer Andrea Clearfield, uses improvisatory-jazz piano, video, steel drums and dance to explore a new way of hearing the genius that is Mozart through a 21st century matrix. She has gathered a variety of local artists for this concert, each paying tribute to the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus in their own form. It’s a look at this classical icon on the 250th Anniversary of his birth and takes place on Saturday, January 21, 2006.
Fresh Ink concludes on Saturday, April 22, 2006 with violinist Midori. During her journey from brilliant child prodigy to internationally acclaimed artist, she has thrilled audiences with her performances of the traditional classical repertoire. In this break from that tradition, she turns to newer music in a program that matches her flawless technique with fascinating new directions in the sound of strings. The program includes works by Weir, Yun, Goehr, Kurtág, and Lutoslawski.
SEE HEAR SERIES
The first full season of the SEE HEAR! series is made up of innovative performers using a range of performance media, including, video, film and computer technology as well as traditional instruments and actors to meld sight and sound, creating a unique and new art.
On Tuesday, November 15, 2005, Savion Glover, Tony-winning dancer and choreographer of Broadway’s Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk, appears in an evening of inventive tap riffs on classical music accompanied by a string ensemble in a program called Classical Savion. The New York Times raved about its “stunning intensity…a revelation for eye and ear alike… This is great dancing with great musicality.”
On Thursday and Friday, December 8 and 9, 2005, Marc Mostovoy’s A Colonial Holiday returns to bring families back in time on a journey to Colonial Philadelphia with a performance that includes a 20-piece orchestra, a children’s choir, soloists and multimedia visuals.
On Saturday, January 21, 2006, Mozart: Reloaded, curated by award-winning composer Andrea Clearfield, uses improvisatory-jazz piano, video, steel drums and dance to explore a new way of hearing the genius that is Mozart through a 21st century matrix. She has gathered a variety of local artists for this concert, each paying tribute to the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus in their own form.
On Friday May 5, 2006, POP G, the Philadelphia Orchestra Percussion Group, makes its Kimmel Center Presents debut in a program that includes arrangements of works for percussion, including, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Debussy’s Claire de Lune, and Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, as well as works by contemporary composers Jennifer Higdon and Rolando Morales-Matos. Using a full battery of percussion instruments combined with electronic media to create an evening rich in performance experience for both the eye and the ear.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
The genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) will be celebrated in a variety of performances in recognition of the 250th Anniversary of the composer’s birth (January 27, 1756) during January and February 2006.
Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra perform a program that includes Mozart Piano Concerto Nos. 14 and 20 on Tuesday, January 17, 2006.
The Fresh Ink series will include Mozart: Reloaded, on Saturday, January 21, 2006, curated by award-winning composer Andrea Clearfield.
Daniel Barenboim leads the Berlin Staatskapelle and performs as piano soloist in an all-Mozart program on Wednesday, February 8, 2006.
On Monday, February 20, 2006, the Keyboard Conversations series with pianist Jeffrey Siegel includes There’s More to Mozart than Amadeus, exploring the astonishing variety of Mozart’s music.
Violinist-conductor Gil Shaham will be joined by one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world, The Academy of St. Martin In The Fields in a program that includes Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 on Tuesday, February 28, 2006.
JAZZ AT THE KIMMEL CENTER
Jazz has played an important and integral role in the mix of the Kimmel Center’s diverse programming, and the 2005-06 season continues to bring the best names in jazz to Philadelphia audiences as well as breaking new ground with a steady stream of virtuoso young performers at the top of their game. “Jazz is such an important part of the identity of the U.S. and Philadelphia especially. That we have so many great jazz artists on the series this season plus Panamanian jazz pianist Danilo Perez returning to work with us to shape the Mellon Jazz Up Close series is a way of further developing and enriching that tradition,” said Mervon Mehta.
MELLON JAZZ FRIDAYS
The Kimmel Center Presents 2005-06 season opens with An Evening With Tony Bennett. Legendary headliner Tony Bennett performs an evening of songs from the great American songbook on Thursday, September 15 in the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall. Bennett has been putting records on the charts steadily since the 1950’s with his peerless command of the American songbook. (Please note, this is the only presentation in this series to take place on a Thursday.)
In his first appearance at the Kimmel Center, jazz icon Chick Corea explores the Spanish-influenced roots of his classic album Touchstone on Friday, October 14, 2005. In this magical exploration of flamenco-based jazz, Chick Corea has drawn his quintet from guitarist Paco de Lucia’s band.
On Friday, November 18, 2005, the Kimmel Center once again spotlights the wealth of local jazz talent at the top of their game with its Third Annual Philly All-Star Night. The evening includes the Christian McBride Quintet, “the world’s most in-demand bassist,” (Times of London) and the Michael Brecker Quartet, the first artist to win back-to-back Grammys for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance and Instrumental Solo.
Former Berklee College of Music President and long-time master vibraphonist Gary Burton brings his new ensemble Generations to the stage on Friday, January 27, 2006 with his latest in a long line of great jazz discoveries: 16-year old guitarist Julian Lage. “…a unique bridge between the mainstream of jazz …and jazz-rock.” (International Herald Tribune) Opening the night is pianist Brad Mehldau, the man whose astonishing improvisations takes riffs from Cole Porter, Radiohead, the Beatles, Mozart, Ravel and Debussy in a solo piano set.
Two of today’s most dynamic jazz forces split the bill on Friday, March 24, 2006. Now in their tenth year together, pianist Marcus Roberts is joined by drummer Jason Marsalis and bassist Roland Guerin for a swinging trio. Then, fresh from their latest San Francisco residency come Bobby Hutcherson, vibes; Joshua Redman and Miguel Zenon, saxes; Nicholas Payton, trumpet; Renee Rosnes, piano; Bob Hurst, bass; and Eric Harland, drums. The San Francisco Jazz Collective’s unique mix of traditional and contemporary compositions led Billboard Magazine to crown their playing one of the “most significant jazz moments of 2004.”
All the top jazzmen who have worked with the great Dizzy Gillespie could fill the Verizon Hall stage—and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Band performance on Friday April 21, 2006 in Verizon Hall will see many of them appearing in one night together. Performing on this program are: Paquito D’Rivera, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Gary Smulyan, Antonio Hart, saxes; Randy Brecker, Claudio Roditi, Greg Gisbert, Frank Greene, trumpets; Steve Davis, Jason Jackson, Jay Ashby, Doug Purviance, trombones; Mulgrew Miller, piano; John Lee, bass; Marty Ashby, guitar; Dennis Mackrel, drums; and Roberta Gambarini, vocals.
SPECIAL JAZZ ATTRACTION
Pulitzer Prize-winning musician, composer and educator Wynton Marsalis leads The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in a performance of Duke Ellington’s Harlem Nutcracker on Sunday December 11, 2005. Classical meets jazz in this irresistible holiday tribute by the Duke to the beloved music of Tchaikovsky. In it, Ellington re-imagines The Nutcracker in the jazz idiom, turning the Sugar Plum Fairy into the Sugar Rum Cherry.
MELLON JAZZ UP CLOSE: ONE NATION UNDER JAZZ
Danilo Pérez, Panamanian jazz musician and curator of the Kimmel Center Presents’ Mellon Jazz Up Close Series, now in its third season, has created yet another dynamic tour of the jazz landscape. This season focuses on a grand tour of American cities whose different styles serve as ingredients for the musical gumbo we call jazz: Boston, New Orleans, Chicago and Detroit. From each city Danilo Pérez brings a genuine jazz master and pairs him with a dynamic talent from right here in Philadelphia.
“Jazz continually refreshes itself by the very nature of what it is—improvisation—and it’s fed and nourished by both the masters and younger generation of musicians getting together. The Kimmel Center is doing that here in Philadelphia as well with this series. In 100 years, people here in Philadelphia are going to say, ‘Oh yes, Von Freeman, an important jazz musician.’ And because the Kimmel Center is still so new, we are creating history here as well,” commented Danilo Pérez.
The series opens on Saturday October 29, 2005 with Chicago tenor sax legend Von Freeman, also known as “The Vonski,” famous for the irresistible tenor sax style he created, and his Trio. Described by the Chicago Sun-Times as “a dynamic improviser with boundless energy and powers of creation… There is surely no other sound in jazz like that of Freeman's saxophone.” He will be joined by iconic Philly drummer Mickey Roker, who has performed with a list of jazz stars from Dizzy Gillespie to Ella Fitzgerald.
New Orleans is the focus for the Saturday November 19, 2005 installment in this series. The Big Easy sends the piano-playing grand patriarch of the Marsalis clan to Philadelphia. For this duo piano evening, Ellis Marsalis teams up with Philadelphia’s own high-powered Orrin Evans, “one of the best young acoustic jazz pianists around” (Philadelphia Daily News).
On February 11, 2006, the series moves to Detroit with Motor City-born pianist Geri Allen, who has performed and recorded with artists from across the spectrum of modern jazz including Betty Carter, Ornette Coleman, Tony Williams, Ron Carter and Dewey Redman. Allen’s compositions and improvisational skills bridge the gaps between styles, moving from bop to free with “a spontaneity and melodic gift that greatly transcend rote imitation... both spacious and dense, rubato and swinging, blithe and percussive” (All Music Guide).
The series concludes with a visit from the Boston contingent on Saturday April 1, 2006. Roy Haynes is a living history of American jazz music, having played with jazz greats Chick Corea, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and many others, as well as fronting his own ensembles. The Haynes Quartet will be joined by Danilo Pérez for this performance. Pérez teaches at Boston’s New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music and is pianist for the Wayne Shorter Quartet as well as his own trio.
SOVEREIGN BANK WORLD POP MIX
“Music plays an important role in cultures the world-over, and Philadelphia is a city that has a wide array of cultural diversity,” said Mehta. “For the Kimmel Center to connect with all its communities throughout Philadelphia, it’s vitally important that we represent these world cultures on our stages. The series includes singer/songwriters, gospel greats, legends of pop and R&B, and as always, the Geator.”
On Saturday September 17, 2005 soul pioneer Solomon Burke will be joined by special guests Gamble and Huff’s MFSB Band. Two iconic acts, Solomon Burke and Gamble and Huff’s MFSB Band open the Sovereign Bank World Pop Mix series. “King” Solomon burst onto the scene as a gospel act in the mid-50s and his string of R&B hits includes “Just Out of Reach,” and “Got to Get You Off of My Mind.” Burke’s new CD release “Make Do with What You Got” is garnering significant critical acclaim. MFSB served as the house band for Philadelphia International Records slew of 70s hits and had their own #1 hit with TSOP.
Los Lobos performs on Sunday October 2, 2005. From their 1974 start in East L.A. playing Mexican folk music, they became America’s premiere Latin-rock band. Los Lobos draws on rock, Tex-Mex, country, folk, rhythm and blues and traditional Mexican music–all blended into their own distinctive sound. Special guest Alejandro Escovedo also makes his Kimmel Center debut on this program.
On Sunday October 9, 2005, reigning fado queen Mariza explores the music of Portugal and Brazil. Fado combines the melancholy of the blues with the energy of flamenco and comes to us from its humble beginnings in tiny, hideaway clubs in the Lisbon barrio. Her new CD, to be released in August, was recorded in Brazil with some of that country’s master musicians and producers.
On Friday November 4, 2005, gospel composer, arranger, pianist and vocalist Richard Smallwood brings his unique blend of gospel music to Verizon Hall accompanied by his band Vision. A recent inductee into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Smallwood’s music has been recorded by Whitney Houston, Destiney’s Child and Yolanda Adams. His hits include Total Praise and Center of My Joy.
On Sunday, November 6, 2005, three astounding divas take a one-night tour of music across the globe in a program titled Queens of World Music. Vocalists include Emeline Michel, the captivating queen of Haitian song; Eva Ayllon with her own urban spin to Afro-Peruvian music, in a voice that is “smoky, mature and full of carnal energy” (New York Times); and Angelique Kidjo, who blends her own African traditions with Jamaican, Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican flavors; she is “endlessly inventive… a mesmerizing presence” (Boston Herald).
A Woman’s Heart with Mary Black, on Sunday November 13, 2005, is inspired by the best-selling CD series. This night of Celtic song showcases four spellbinding Irish vocalists. “Haunting and rousing by turns,” Mary Black is capable of “instantly silencing the room with her soulful, heart-aching soprano” (Washington Post). Joining her are three singers who make their own passionate contributions to an evening of tears and joy – Cara Dillon, Maura O’Connell and Sharon Shannon.
On Tuesday, November 15, 2005, Savion Glover, Tony-winning dancer and choreographer of Broadway’s Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk, appears in an evening of inventive tap riffs on classical music accompanied by a string ensemble in a program called Classical Savion. The New York Times raved about its “stunning intensity…a revelation for eye and ear alike… This is great dancing with great musicality.”
The world-renowned Vienna Choir Boys, with their 500-year tradition of musical excellence, return to Verizon Hall on Sunday December 10, 2005 for their fifth annual visit for a performance of traditional holiday favorites.
Philadelphia institution Jerry Blavat performs his first ever Kimmel Christmas show, A Very Geator Christmas, featuring Al Martino on Thursday December 22, 2005. Martino’s hits include “Volaré,” “Spanish Eyes,” and he appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s film, The Godfather as singing idol Johnny Fontaine.
The Pipes, Drums And Highland Dancers of The 1st Battalion of Scotland’s Black Watch joins the Band of the Welsh Guards for an afternoon of music and pageantry on Sunday January 15, 2006. Featuring 90 performers, this show includes bagpipes, traditional military marches, drum solos Celtic dancing and the traditional music of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland with such famous songs as “Amazing Grace,” “Auld Lang Syne,” the "The Irish Washerwoman” and “Black Bear.”
The Paco Peña Flamenco Ensemble brings its authentic flamenco performance to Verizon Hall on Sunday, January 29, 2006. Considered one of the world’s great flamenco guitarists, Paco Peña leads an ensemble of musicians and dancers steeped in the tradition of southern Spain’s song, dance and music.
In a very special Valentine’s Day celebration, international cabaret star Sylvia McNair brings her own gift of love—an exquisite list of romantic standards by Arlen, Mercer, Rodgers, Sondheim and other Broadway greats to the intimate Perelman Theater on Tuesday February 14, 2006.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo combines forces with South African composer and vocal virtuoso, Vusi Mahlasela, in “Long Walk To Freedom” on Sunday March 5, 2006. Since Paul Simon brought their sound to America, the soaring harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo have symbolized for listeners the battered, undaunted soul of South Africa.
Mavis Staples and Taj Mahal share the program on Saturday March 11, 2006. Mavis Staples has sung with Mahalia Jackson, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Prince. Taj Mahal is a five-decade blues veteran featured on film and CD in the Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus. He and his trio weave their own musical tapestry from traditions that include Hawaiian, Caribbean, West African, Latin, jazz, country and folk.
A perennial favorite in Philadelphia, The Chieftains return to Verizon Hall on Sunday March 12, 2006 to help celebrate the feast of St. Patrick in traditional Irish style.
On April 15, 2006, Philly’s favorite DJ and rock-and-roll pitchman Jerry Blavat celebrates the best music of the 1970s with Geator Gold.
PHILADANCO
Now celebrating its 35th season, Philadelphia’s acclaimed modern dance company Philadanco continues its residency at the Kimmel Center with two sets of performances.
Philadanco performs Xmas Philes, December 16-18 2005, in Perelman Theater. This program of Yuletide cheer is back in Philadanco's newly expanded version of their holiday favorite, choreographed by Daniel Ezralow. This full evening work is a tapestry of holiday music and dance, including "Silent Night" and "Zat You, Santa Claus?"
Philadanco’s spring residency, May 18-21, 2006, features two world-premieres from choreographers Christopher L. Huggins and Carmen DeLavallade.
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Subscription packages for the Kimmel Center Presents 2005-06 season range in price from $44-$525, go on sale Sunday, April 3, 2005, and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1955, or online at www.kimmelcenter.org. Subscriber benefits include priority seating, savings over the cost of single tickets, flexible ticket exchange, advance purchase for Broadway at the Academy, and more. For group sales call 215-790-5883.
Sponsors of the 2005-2006 Kimmel Center Presents season include Mellon Financial Corporation, Sovereign Bank, The American Express Company, and Bucks County Coffee. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents.
Single tickets will go on sale in August 2005.
Fresh Ink 2005-2006 is made possible by a grant from the Philadelphia Music Project, an Artistic Initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts, administered by The University of the Arts.
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 Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
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