Leslie Odom, Jr., Amy Grant, and More to Join the Cincinnati Pops
By: Julie Musbach Mar. 02, 2018
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Conductor John Morris Russell are pleased to announce the details of the Pops' 2018-19 season at the beautifully renovated Music Hall, presented by PNC. The season features nine subscription programs, individual performances, and the three-concert Lollipops Family Series. Highlights of the new season include performances with Leslie Odom, Jr., winner of the Best Actor Tony Award for his portrayal of "Aaron Burr" in the smash hit musical, Hamilton. Other Pops debuts include the extraordinary Lisa Fischer, star of the Oscar-winning documentary, Twenty Feet from Stardom, and a regular collaborator with the Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, and Sting. Fan favorites returning to perform with the Pops include Amy Grant and the Indigo Girls.
"We continue to explore and celebrate the mosaic of the American music experience," said Mr. Russell, who introduces a "Pops in Space" program in January 2019 setting great orchestral music to stunning images captured by NASA and curated by Cincinnati's own Lightborne and featuring a commission by acclaimed film composer Michael Giacchino celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. "With our rich palette of orchestral color, the Pops will perform the broad spectrum of popular classics throughout the season that originated on concert stages and movie palaces around the world. With highly anticipated new collaborations and the return of good friends, we look forward to sharing wonderful experiences and creating lasting memories together."
The Cincinnati Pops presents a diverse array of musical styles, all bathed in the "Cincinnati sound." Programs during the 2018-19 season also include a program featuring Halloween classics, the annual Holiday Pops concerts, the "Wonderful Music of Oz" featuring iconic songs drawn from or inspired by The Wizard of Oz and finally a tribute to the great Whitney Houston.
2018-19 Cincinnati Pops Season Programs
Leslie Odom, Jr.
8:00 p.m. Friday, September 14
8:00 p.m. Saturday, September 15
2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 16
John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops are proud to collaborate with Leslie Odom, Jr. to open the season September 14-16 at Music Hall. This multifaceted performer was part of the original cast of the blockbuster Broadway musical and cultural phenomenon Hamilton, which garnered Mr. Odom the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for the role of "Aaron Burr" and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Mr. Odom recently appeared on the Super Bowl broadcast, singing "America the Beautiful" for a global television audience. He will perform selections from the Great American Songbook with a tribute to Nat King Cole as well as Broadway hits.
Haunted Hall
8:00 p.m. Friday, October 12
8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13
2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 14
Many popular orchestral classics deliver spine-tingling, hair-raising moments and are associated with scary and even paranormal tales. As an homage to Music Hall and its rumored hauntings, the Cincinnati Pops will present spooky favorites from the orchestral cannon leading up to HalloweenOctober 12-14. A favorite of Cincinnati audiences, guest conductor (and actor) Damon Gupton will lead this all-orchestral program that includes The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Night on Bald Mountain, and Dance Macabre, among others.
Indigo Girls
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20
With over 12 million recordings sold, the Grammy-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls bring their extraordinary talent to Music Hall's stage again on November 20 after selling out their last performance with the Pops. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been thrilling audiences for decades with performances around the world, well over a dozen studio albums and three greatest hits compilations. The one-night-only performance with the Pops will be led by Associate Conductor Keitaro Harada and feature favorite Indigo Girls songs performed with the Pops, including "Closer to Fine," "Land of Canaan," "Hammer and Nail" and "Galileo," among others.
Holiday Pops
8:00 p.m. Friday, December 7
2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 8
8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 8
2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 9
7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 9
The Orchestra's annual Holiday Pops concerts are a beloved tradition for many Greater Cincinnati families. Led by "Mr. Christmas" himself, John Morris Russell, this festive concert experience at the beautifully decorated Music Hall features both traditional and contemporary holiday favorites. Mr. Russell and the Pops will be joined by Broadway star Ashley Brown, choirs and special guests.
Pops in Space
8:00 p.m. Friday, January 18, 2019
8:00 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019
2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing and native son Neil Armstrong's "giant leap for mankind," John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops present "Pops in Space," a program featuring giant orchestral works inspired by the heavens as well as epic, space-centric science fiction film scores on January 18-20, 2019 at Music Hall. Accompanying the Orchestra will be NASA footage assembled as stunning concert visuals by Cincinnati's own Lightborne. The program also features a co-commission with the National Symphony and Kennedy Center by acclaimed film composer Michael Giacchino honoring the first Moon landing 50 years ago.
7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 10, 2019
Back by popular demand, cross-genre Grammy winner Amy Grant returns to perform with the Cincinnati Pops for one-night-only on Sunday, February 10, 2019. This earlyValentine's Day program will feature hits from Ms. Grant's multi-platinum-selling catalog of hit songs including "Baby, Baby," "That's What Love is For," "Every Heartbeat" and "The Next Time I Fall," all under the direction of guest conductor and Ohio native Steven Reineke.
A Kiss Away Featuring Lisa Fischer
8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2019
2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2019
One of the most sought-after vocal collaborators of her generation, Lisa Fischer finally rose to prominence thanks to the Oscar-winning documentary,Twenty Feet from Stardom, which featured great "backup" singers from the world of rock and pop music. Ms. Fischer, a Grammy winner, is a frequent collaborator with the Rolling Stones, Sting, and Tina Turner, and brings her extraordinary vocal talents to Cincinnati. Her exciting debut with John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops will feature incredible re-inventions of rock and roll classics on March 9 and 10, 2019 at Music Hall.
The Wonderful Music of Oz
8:00 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2019
8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019
2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2019
L. Frank Baum's whimsical, classic fantasy novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, has captured the imaginations of young and old for generations spanning nearly 120 years, and through the classic film, Broadway musicals, and popular songs, it has inspired great songwriters. John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops present timeless favorites with the "Wonderful Music of Oz" April 5-7, 2019 at Music Hall. The program features favorite songs from the 1939 movie including "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," from both The Wiz and Wicked on Broadway including "Ease On Down the Road" and "Defying Gravity," songs inspired by The Wizard of Oz by the likes of Elton John, Paul Williams, and America including "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "The Rainbow Connection" and "Tin Man."
Music of Whitney Houston
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2019
The Guinness Book of World Records named Whitney Houston "the most-awarded female act of all time." The Cincinnati Pops celebrates this iconic late singer's musical life and legacy with a special, one-night-only tribute concert on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Music Hall. Featuring celebrated vocalist and Broadway artist Rashidra Scott, audiences will experience many of Ms. Houston's most beloved songs including "The Greatest Love of All," "Saving All My Love," "How Will I Know" and her iconic version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." The program is led by guest conductor and Cincinnati native Brent Havens.
Non-subscription 2018-19 Cincinnati Pops performances at Music Hall
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert
7:00 p.m. Friday, December 28
7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 29
2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 30
Wizards, witches, and muggles of all sorts will surround the Cincinnati Pops as they perform Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert. Tickets are available for this performance.
New Year's Eve at Music Hall
8:00 p.m., Monday, December 31
Celebrated singer Ryan Silverman will join the Pops for the classiest New Year's Eve celebration in Cincinnati on December 31 at Music Hall.
Lollipops Family Concert Series at Music Hall
For the first of the Lollipops Family Concerts, "Orchestra Toybox," John Morris Russell and the Pops delve into the world of toy instruments, presenting selections from Toy Story, The Nutcracker, and more on November 3.
On Saturday, February 2, 2019, in collaboration with the Cincinnati Zoo, "Fiona's Playlist" is an exciting look into what Cincinnati's born and raised, pop culture sensation and worldwide celebrity hippo might listen to. This performance will be led by Associate Conductor Keitaro Harada and feature Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard as the narrator.
Finally, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," presented on Saturday, April 13, 2019, led by John Morris Russell is an exciting musical tribute to America's pastime and commemorating the Reds' 150thanniversary season.
The Orchestra is grateful to Lollipops Series Sponsor UDF and Homemade Brand Ice Cream and to the George L. & Anne P. Heldman Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation for their tremendous support of this series.
Patriotic Pops at Riverbend Music Center on July 4
John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops lead a festive Fourth of July celebration at Riverbend Music Center this summer with a special appearance by the U.S. Army Chorus and Rozzi's Famous Fireworks following the concert. Free lawn tickets for children 17 and under are provided courtesy of Toyota.
Subscription and Ticketing Information
Season ticket packages for the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall are on sale now. Subscribers receive priority seating at the best prices, free unlimited ticket exchanges and the option to purchase guaranteed, pre-paid parking, among various other exclusive benefits.
Single tickets for the subscription series go on sale to the general public July 30 at 10 a.m. Subscription packages start at $112.50. Single tickets start at $25.00 for most concerts, exclusive of a 3.5% facility fee which ensures a dedicated fund for the ongoing maintenance of Music Hall.
The Pops is grateful to its Series Sponsor PNC.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski
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