Ian Anderson Brings JETHRO TULL - THE ROCK OPERA to Kimmel Center Tonight

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is honored to joinIan Anderson in celebrating the life and times of the English Agricultural inventor, Jethro Tull, with the announcement of Jethro Tull - The Rock Opera at the Academy of Music tonight, November 7 at 8 p.m. The Philadelphia exclusive engagement is part of an eight city U.S. tour.

Accompanied by David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests, Ian Anderson begins the touring schedule in the UK followed by Russian, European and South American dates before the end of the year.

Jethro Tull-The Rock Opera shares the story of the original Jethro Tull's life, reimagined as if in the near future and illustrated with Anderson's best-known songs from the rock band Jethro Tull repertoire. The performance is in a quasi-operatic structure with virtual guests on video and some additional newly-written songs to round off the elements of the story.

"We are thrilled to present Jethro Tull The Rock Opera on the Kimmel Center's campus," said Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers. "As the oldest operating opera house in the country, the Academy of Music's rich opulent setting is the perfect backdrop for Ian Anderson to perform his best-known songs."

Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Songs From The Wood sit alongside Aqualung, Living In The Past, Wind-Up, A New Day Yesterday, The Witch's Promise, Locomotive Breath and other favorites - often with slightly re-written lyrics to better tell the tale.

Tickets are on sale beginning Friday, April 10 at 10 a.m. from $39.50-$129.50 Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office at Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).