Pacific Symphony to Present VIDEO GAMES LIVE, 7/17

Pacific Symphony puts on its game face and delves into the popular world of video games for a special summer concert, "Video Games Live." Created and produced by legendary video-game composer and industry icon, Tommy Tallarico, "Video Games Live" is a multimedia concert experience featuring the best music and video from the most popular games past and present. Performed around the world by top orchestras and choirs, the show combines exclusive video footage and music arrangements with synchronized lighting, solo performers, stage show production, special FX, electronic percussionists and unique interactive segments. "Video Games Live" bridges a gap for entertainment by exposing new generations of music lovers and fans to the symphonic orchestral experience, while also providing a completely new and unique experience for families and non-gamers.

"It's the power and emotion of a symphony orchestra combined with the excitement and energy of a rock concert," describes Tallarico. "The technology, fun and interactivity of a video game are all completely synchronized to amazing cutting-edge video screen visuals, state-of-the art lighting, special effects and special on-stage interactive segments with the audience."

Led by Guest Conductor Emmanuel Fratianni and featuring vocal soloist Jillian Aversa and the Glendale College Concert Singers (led by Peter Green), the Symphony performs this exciting special concert on Wednesday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. Tallarico acts as emcee and performs on guitar to produce favorites from "Zelda,""Warcraft," "Diablo," "Halo," "Skyrim" and more. Pre-show events include a Guitar Hero competition, costume contest and prize giveaways. Post-show activities include a meet-and-greet opportunity with industry designers/creators, composers/sound designers, voice actors, performers and more special guests.

Tickets range from $25 (lawn seating) to $65 (orchestra seating); children under 14 are half price in most sections with the purchase of an adult ticket. Guests are welcome to picnic on the grounds of the amphitheater starting at 6 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

Recently described by The New York Times as "captivating" and "bombastic," "Video Games Live" incorporated in 2002 and is the first and most successful video-game touring concert in the world, having performed more than 200 shows in 23 countries on five continents. More than 11,000 people were present for the debut performance at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and since then, over one million people have experienced the show live. "Video Games Live" has released two albums, both of which debuted in the Billboard Top 10, as well as an award-winning feature on DVD/Blu-Ray. In 2010, the show aired nationally on PBS and quickly became one of the top-rated PBS Specials of all time. Inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest game concert in the world with over 100,000 attendees in China, "Video Games Live" continues to break new ground and thrill audiences worldwide with brand new content each year.

"My dream when I started working on 'Video Games Live' in 2002 was to demonstrate how artistic and culturally significant video games have become," says Tallarico. "Aside from opening the eyes of non-gamers to the industry, my goal is to help usher in a whole new generation of people to appreciate symphonic music."

Tallarico is a veritable video-game industry professional. As one of the most successful video-game composers in history, he has helped revolutionize the gaming world, creating unique audio landscapes that enhance the video-gaming experience. He is considered the person most instrumental in changing the game industry from "bleeps and bloops" to real music now appreciated worldwide by tens of millions of fans. As an on-air television personality, live performer and composer, Tallarico brings his in-depth knowledge, years of experience and love of cutting-edge multimedia to the masses. Tallarico has worked in the gaming industry as a designer, product manager, producer, writer, games tester and heads of both music and video departments. Aside from touring around the world with "Video Games Live," he is currently producing a $7 million, worldwide touring, Disney music spectacular arena show launching in 2013.

Awarded a visiting artist visa by the United States in 2000, principal conductor and music director of "Video Games Live," Fratianni, arrived in Los Angeles to become a sought-after conductor, composer, pianist and music-team member in the Hollywood film, television music and video-game industries as well as the concert world. An award-winning artist, Fratianni has guest conducted for and his work has been performed by some of the most recognized orchestras in the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonia and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Fratianni is also a regular on the scoring stages in Hollywood. His debut on the Billboard Top Ten in 2008 with EMI's "Video Games Live," Vol. 1 soundtrack album cemented his status in the classical/crossover orchestral world. His numerous awards and credits as a composer and collaborator include "Soundtrack of the Year" by Play magazine for the score to "Advent Rising," five seasons on the multi-Emmy award-winning network television series "JAG," one G.A.N.G. award and seven G.A.N.G. and NAViGaTR nominations.

Aversa is an award-winning vocalist, songwriter and performer whose shimmering voice has appeared in a medley of projects-from video games, film and hit dance singles to her original solo albums. Her ethereal vocals can be heard in blockbuster video game franchises Halo (Microsoft), God of War (Sony), Civilization (Firaxis) and Soulcalibur V (Namco Bandai), for which she co-composed the ending theme. With "Origins" and the holiday EP "Through Sand and Snow," Aversa's original albums have landed international radio airplay on over 70 radio stations around the world and received such awards as Number One New Age Album of 2008, JPF second place for Best New Age Album and the $5,000 Grand Prize at Ourstage.com. Her third solo album, "Atlantis Awakening," was released this spring. With an extensive background in theater and voice, Aversa commands the stage as well as the studio. After graduating from Peabody Conservatory of Music, where she received the George Castelle Memorial Award in voice, she continued her development as a performer.

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