Philly Pops to Open Season with Rhapsody in Blue, 2/8

The season begins on February 8th with A Night at the Oscars celebrating the award winning music from the movies. Peter and The POPS play the epic scores from Academy Award-winning and nominated movies. While the programs are always announced from the stage, Peter has promises to include a performance of his renowned interpretation of "Rhapsody in Blue."

Vocalists Jodi Benson and Sal Viviano sing the award winning song from the movies you love. Benson is the ethereal voice of Ariel in the Oscar-winning film The Little Mermaid. Viviano is not only a Broadway and film star, but also a Philadelphia favorite. The music of this evening will invoke the memories of cinema classics. A great date night - just in time for Valentine's Day!

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the first of Peter Nero's two Grammy Awards, as well as his eight Grammy nominations. Nero is one of only 14 artists who have reached the Golden Anniversary with their award and are still performing today.

Jodi Benson, a native of Rockford, Illinois, has received worldwide recognition and critical acclaim as the voice of Ariel in the Academy Award-winning animated feature film The Little Mermaid. Benson received a Tony Award and a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for creating the starring role of Polly Baker in the Tony Award-winning musical Crazy For You.

Sal Viviano made his Broadway debut in The Three Musketeers; followed-by starring roles in the Broadway hits Romance / Romance, City of Angels, Falsettos, The Life, and The Full Monty.

Tickets: $28-$111, 215.893.1999 or www.phillypops.org.