Christoph Waltz Narrates 'Egmont' During LA Philharmonic's Opening Gala THE BRILLIANCE OF BEETHOVEN Tonight

Christoph Waltz makes his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut as the narrator for Egmont, one of Beethoven's dramatic works featured in the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2015/16 Opening Night Gala: THE BRILLIANCE OF BEETHOVEN at Walt Disney Concert Hall tonight, September 29, at 7 pm.

The evening's program, led by Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, also includes the addition of Beckanne Sisk as principal dancer and soprano Rachele Gilmore. Gilmore replaces previously-announced Kiera Duffy as soprano for the performance of Egmont. Duffy is unable to appear due to the birth of her first child.

Beckanne Sisk makes her debut with the LA Phil as the principal dancer for Beethoven's Creatures of Prometheus finale. She first began touring with Ballet West II in 2010 and within five years was promoted to principal dancer. Sisk has trained with Studio of Creative Arts, The Rock School for Dance Education, and many summer intensive programs, including Tulsa Ballet, The Rock School, American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Rachele Gilmore is a coloratura soprano who regularly performs in America, Europe, and Asia. For her 2014/15 season, she reprised the role of Alice in Unsuk Chin's Alice in Wonderland with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestraand made her debut with the Opéra de Lille for the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor. This year Gilmore will perform with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, and NCPA Beijing. She's known for being a "vocal standout" and a dynamic actress.

Christoph Waltz is a two-time Academy Award-winning actor for his performances in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained and Inglourious Basterds. His work in European television, film and theatrical productions spans three decades and has earned him numerous awards. Waltz's next project will be his directorial debut for his film The Worst Marriage in Georgetown, which is based on The New York Times Magazine article written by Franklin Foer. In 2013, he spent a portion of that year directing his first opera, Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier. His production premiered in December 2013 at the Vlaamse Opera in Antwerp with musical direction by Dmitri Jurowski and Philipp Pointner.

Complete Program:

BEETHOVEN, Selections from Egmont, Op. 84

Overture

"Die Trommel gerühret"

Zwischenactmusik I: Andante

"Freudvoll und Leidvoll"

"Susser Schlaf, du kommst wie ein reines Glück"

Siegessymphonie

Christoph Waltz, narrator

Rachele Gilmore, soprano

BEETHOVEN, Selections from Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43

Overture

Act 2, No. 4: Maestoso - Andante

Act 2, No. 5: Adagio - Andante quasi allegretto

Act 2, No. 16: Finale

Beckanne Sisk, principal dancer

Barak Ballet: Ryan Camou, Jessica Gadzinski, Evan Swenson, Mauro Villanueva, and Hannah Wilcox

BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 9, 4th movement, "Ode to Joy"

Mariana Ortiz, soprano

J'nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano

Joshua Guerrero, tenor

Soloman Howard, bass

Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, artistic director

Opening Night concert tickets and single tickets for the season are now available.

The Walt Disney Concert hall is located at 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Gala tickets are now available for purchase. Concert-only prices range from $108 to $250 and include a tax-deductible contribution supporting the LA Phil and its education programs, such as YOLA (Youth Orchestra L.A.). Patrons can also enjoy premium concert seating plus a private pre-concert cocktail reception, featuring Beethoven's dance music by a live orchestra. This package: $1,000 (includes $750 contribution). To purchase, or for more information about other Gala packages, call 213.972.3051.

Subscriptions and single tickets for the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2015/16 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall are currently available. To purchase, visit LAPhil.com, the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet. To order by phone with credit card, call the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office at 323.850.2000, or Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000.

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