The Peoria Symphony Orchestra Announces its 121st Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2018
THE PEORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES ITS 121ST SEASON
PEORIA, IL –
The PEORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is pleased to announce its 2018-2019 concert season, filled with magical journeys, exhilarating masterpieces, world-class guest artists, and engaging activities for the entire community.
George Stelluto, PSO Music Director, says this about the upcoming 121st season:
“It’s hard to pick a favorite next season—each program is a delight. Together with our other events and activities, audiences will have a joyous time choosing theirs.”
The PSO’s 121st season opens on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 7:30 pm in the Peoria Civic Center Theater with SCOTTISH FANTASY. In the year of Max Bruch’s 130th birthday, the PSO will perform Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy with CATHERINE CHO, violin, filled with imagery of Romantic Scotland, from castles to dances to folk songs. This gala season opener will also feature Dvorak’s passionate Carnival Overture and Symphony #7.
On October 27, 2018, at a special concert time of 7:00 pm, the PSO will perform HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE™ IN CONCERT as part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. George Stelluto will conduct the PSO in performing live, to picture, every note from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the entire film while experiencing John Williams’ unforgettable score—performed live to picture by the PSO.
In its first touring performance of HANDEL’S MESSIAH, the APOLLO CHORUS OF CHICAGO performs with the PSO at 7:30 pm on December 8, 2018, at Grace Presbyterian Church, Rt. 91 in Peoria. Founded in 1872, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago is one of the oldest choral societies in the United States and the oldest musical organization in Chicago. They have performed Handel’s Messiah every December since 1879. Regarding this concert, Maestro Stelluto says, “The PSO is excited and honored to collaborate with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago’s first touring performance of the Messiah. For over 140 years, Apollo has been performing this work. They do it from memory—and with our stellar soloists, it will be an historic PSO evening.”
Gather the family together for ONCE UPON A TIME: A FAMILY MATINEE at 3:00 pm on January 20, 2019 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. WMBD 1470 Radio’s GREG BATTON and WTVP/WMBD’s YVONNE GREER narrate children’s stories for the whole family. Classics like Roven’s Runaway Bunny, Poulenc’s Babar the Elephant, and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf—as well as the world premiere of a future favorite, Mr. Fuzzy Ears! The CENTRAL ILLINOIS BALLET will bring your favorite storybook characters to life, and in a PSO first, Scottish pianist GEOFFREY DUCE joins as the 2018-2019 PSO ARTIST IN RESIDENCE; this will be his first concert performance in the 2018-2019 season.
ROMANCE returns to the Peoria Civic Center Theater on February 9, 2019, at 7:30 pm with an evening of charm, wit, grace, and beauty. From Strauss’ Wine, Women, and Song and Copland’s Rodeo to Duke Ellington’s Piano Concerto, this will prove to be a romantic evening for everyone. Be prepared to laugh along with comic M.C. BUTLER RYAN and watch the enrapturing dances of the CENTRAL ILLINOIS BALLET. The PSO’s 2018-2019 Artist in Residence, GEOFFREY DUCE, joins on piano. Whether it’s a first date or you are attending with friends, love will be in the air! Make it a full evening and join us for our third annual ROMANCE AFTER PARTY in the Peoria Civic Center Lobby following the concert.
On March 9, 2019, the PSO performs BEETHOVEN AND BOCCHERINI at Grace Presbyterian Church, Rt. 91, at 7:30 pm. Beethoven, Haydn, and Boccherini show their whimsical sides as the PSO performs classics “with a twist.” Each work turned audiences on their ears at their premieres—you’ve likely never heard a classical composer use castanets before! PSO cellist ADRIANA LAROSA RANSOM will take listeners on a musical journey through Boccherini’s powerful Cello Concerto in B-Flat. Maestro Stelluto says, “Imagine Beethoven, Haydn, and Boccherini grinning at you knowingly—waiting for you to discover the little prank they just pulled on you.”
The PSO’s 121st season closes on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 7:30 pm, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater with GREAT CITIES: NEW YORK. From the romantic sounds of Barber and MacDowell to Bernstein’s rhythmic Symphonic Dances from West Side Story to the “lullaby” of Broadway, this concert will be a whirlwind celebration of the “city that never sleeps.” GEOFFREY DUCE finishes his year with the PSO with MacDowell’s Piano Concerto #2.
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra delivers excellent music to the Central Illinois region by creating an inviting atmosphere surrounding its concerts, outreach, and educational efforts. As the nation’s 14th oldest symphony orchestra, the PSO brings increased innovation and efforts in the areas of cultural outreach and educational initiatives by building on the success of past seasons. The 121st season will feature a yearlong artist in residence, two separate RESIDENT ARTIST WEEKS (RAW), continued collaboration with WTVP through the SOUND BITES series, and more.
PSO Executive Director Susan Hoffman says:
“The PSO offers a great opportunity to both new and existing subscribers. New subscribers can purchase the seven-concert season ticket for a 50% DISCOUNT, which means tickets are as low as an affordable $14.50 per concert. Whether you are a connoisseur or a newcomer, we have the perfect option for everyone.”
Season subscriptions can be purchased by visiting the PSO Box Office at 101 State Street in Peoria, by calling 309.671.1096, or by visiting the PSO website at peoriasymphony.org. Single tickets go on sale July 1, 2018.
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If you would like more information or higher resolution photographs, please contact:
Mae Gilliland Wright, PhD
Marketing Manager
309.671.1096
mgwright@peoriasymphony.org
HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18)
