Allegro's 'Appetizer Series' Kicks Off at The Ware Center Today

Tonight, April 19, at 6:45, the popular chamber orchestra "Allegro" presents a brand new, very different way to enjoy classical music: "Music in the Round - Lancaster's Music Hour", aptly named the "Appetizer Series."

The event begins at 6:45 pm with a pre-show social reception, with appetizers provided by a new restaurant opening this summer in downtown Lancaster: Aussie and the Fox. The reception takes place in the Grand Salon, the Ware Center's intimate third-floor lounge with stunning vistas of the city viewed through an elliptical bank of floor-to-ceiling windows. Dress is casual and there will be time to socialize and network.

At 7:30, guests will be the first to enjoy an innovative new way to hear and experience music - an hour-long, eclectic, fun concert with the chamber group in the center of the performance space, surrounded by the audience.

Brian Norcross is Allegro's conductor and Artistic Director. Norcross conceived and is creating the Music in the Round concept. Norcross said, "I wanted our audience members to get up-close and personal with the music, so I thought what better way to do that then break down the barriers between performers and listeners and have our guests surround the musicians on all four sides."

"And, what better place to hold this chamber music social event in The Ware Center's beautiful, glass domed Atrium, on the third floor. It's the perfect setting - under a blue sky ceiling -- for an intimate, casual evening of great music."

Norcross has invited several guest artists to appear on the program of popular and favorite pieces. Violinist Todd Sullivan will be featured in Vivaldi's Spring from The Four Seasons. Sullivan will be joined by flutist Jana MacKay, oboist Jill Marchione and trumpeter Luis Engelke to perform Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. The one hour program ends with the Allegro Chamber Orchestra playing the ballet version of Copland's Appalachian Spring. This is a perfectly romantic, emotional evening of great pieces.

This performance and reception is the first in a series of three in the round concerts at the Ware Center. The other two programs are scheduled for July 19, 2013: Jazzical, featuring the music of Francaix, Stravinsky, Torke and Joplin and September 13, 2013: Brass Night with the music of Purcell, Susato, Gabrieli, Byrd, Joplin and Mussorgsky. All the Appetizer series concerts are preceded by a reception.

General Admission Tickets cost $20 and include both the pre-show reception and the concert in the round - an incredible bargain! Tickets may be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at 717-872-3811 or 717-871-2308. Online, at www.millersville.edu/MUARTS in person at The Ware Center (42 N. Prince St., Lancaster) or the Student Memorial Center Ticket Office (Room 103, 21 S. George St., Millersville) Ticket Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Please reserve your tickets in advance.

The mission of Allegro, The Chamber Orchestra of Lancaster, is to bring joy and enrichment to the lives of the community. The group focuses on master works for small orchestra by (or inspired by) 17th and 18th century composers who are known for the joy their music brings to the listener. Allegro brings the music to life through concerts that are specially designed to be engaging, enjoyable and fun for the audiences of the 21st century.

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