Hershey Symphony Orchestra Announces 2017-18 Season

The 2017-2018 Hershey Symphony Orchestra season opens on September 23, 2017 with "Simply Sinatra." Back by popular demand is Steve Lippia, one of the world's leading specialists in recreating the music and magic of Frank Sinatra. Lippia will be backed by the full orchestra and the Symphony's Big Band.

On October 27, 2017, Hershey Symphony Orchestra presents "Fall Classics," a dramatic contrast of orchestral favorites. Selections include Verdi's ultra-melodramatic Overture to La Forza del Destino, Samuel Barber's wrenchingly-beautiful and immortal Adagio for Strings and, in celebration of 500 years of the Lutheran Church, Mendelssohn's "Reformation" Symphony.

The Symphony presents the annual "Holiday Spectacular" complete with cameos from Powerhouse Strings, Festival Strings, Santa and other friends on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at both 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. In addition to many classic holiday selections, Hershey Symphony 2017 Young Artist Competition winner Emily Chung will perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and the orchestra will also get a jump on the 100th Birthday Celebration of America's own Leonard Bernstein.

Just in time for Valentine's Day weekend, join the Symphony on February 16, 2018 for "Gypsy Passion." Violinist Odin Rathnam will perform Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), a characteristic work comprised of Hungarian folk melodies. In keeping with the themes of freedom, adventure and, especially, romance, the Orchestra will bring you Johann Strauss's "Gypsy Baron" Overture, several Brahms Hungarian Dances and George Enescu's Romanian Rhapsody No. 1.

The music of The Fab Four takes center stage on March 16, 2018. Join the full symphony orchestra fronted by its own rock band and select vocalists from across the region for "A Tribute to John, Paul, George & Ringo," a celebration of the Beatles tunes.

The season concludes on April 27, 2018 with the powerful expressions of the 19th Century, "Verdi's Requiem Mass."Collaborating with the Symphony will be nearly 200 voices from the Hershey Symphony Festival Chorus, the Dickinson College Chorus, The Elizabethtown College Chorus and guest soloists Gwendolyn Bowers, Tessika McClendon, James Longacre and James Martin.

Season ticket holders may reserve their same seats by ordering tickets by August 7, 2017. Season tickets start at just $85 for all six concerts. Tickets and more information are available at www.HersheySymphony.org or by calling 717-533-8449.