Philadelphia Orchestra to Perform 'The Rite of Spring', 4/8

The year was 1913 and headlines like the ones above may well have been splashed across Parisian newspapers covering the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's controversial new ballet, The Rite of Spring. The piece-with its dissonant sounds and shocking themes of human sacrifice-stunned audiences, sending them into frenzied riots. Within a decade this groundbreaking work would be heard in America in its U.S. premiere by The Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski.

Now, nearly 100 years later, the masterpiece is considered one of the most influential works of the 20th century, still resonating, still inspiring, and, in some cases, still offending audiences from Paris to Philadelphia.

Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit, host Gerard McBurney, and The Philadelphia Orchestra will explore this remarkable work in a special, multimedia concert on Tuesday, April 8. The performance-with specially-priced tickets from $12 to $55-is part of the Orchestra's Beyond the Score concert series, designed to make classical music accessible to a wide range of listeners.

Beyond the Score is a highly successful multimedia concert series developed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and creative director Gerard McBurney. Designed not only for classical music aficionados, but also for newcomers looking to delve deeper into the world of classical music, the first half of each Beyond the Score program offers a live multimedia documentary of the selected score-its context in history, how it fits into the composer's output of works, the details of a composer's life that influenced its creation-on the stage of Verizon Hall, sharing the illuminating stories found "inside" the music. Live musical examples by the Orchestra are called upon to illustrate the structure of each composition. After an intermission, concertgoers return to the hall with newly discovered knowledge to hear a performance of the score, played in its entirety by The Philadelphia Orchestra. Learn more about Beyond the Score at www.beyondthescore.org.

The Beyond the Score series continues June 3, 2010, with Musorgsky's Pictures from an Exhibition.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the leading orchestras in the world through a century of acclaimed performances, historic international tours, best-selling recordings, and its unprecedented record of innovation in recording technologies and outreach. The Orchestra has maintained unity in artistic leadership with only seven music directors throughout its history: Fritz Scheel (1900-07), Carl Pohlig (1907-12), Leopold Stokowski (1912-41), Eugene Ormandy (1936-80), Riccardo Muti (1980-92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003-08).

This rich tradition is carried on by Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit. Mr. Dutoit has a long-standing relationship with the Orchestra, having made his debut with the ensemble in 1980. Highlights of his second season include performances of Berlioz's Te Deum and Symphonie fantastique, part of Mr. Dutoit's four-year focus on the works of that composer, and a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Samuel Barber's birthday. During his tenure, Mr. Dutoit will also showcase the music of the Ballets Russes, continuing in the 2009-10 season with performances of Stravinsky's Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.

The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of more than one million music lovers worldwide through its performances, publications, recordings, and broadcasts. Each year the Orchestra presents a subscription season in Philadelphia, education and community partnership programs, regular appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and a three-week tour. Its summer schedule includes performances at Philadelphia's Mann Center for the Performing Arts, free Neighborhood Concerts, and residencies at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.

BEYOND THE SCORE: RITE OR WRONG?

April 8 at 7:00 PM - Thursday evening - Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring sent audiences into frenzied riots at its 1913 Paris premiere with its dissonant sonorities and the bold choreography depicting a young girl who dances herself to death in human sacrifice. Since then, it has gained wide recognition as one of the most influential works of the 20th century and is among the most popular works in the orchestral repertoire. Charles Dutoit and Gerard McBurney transport us back in time to discover what inspired Stravinsky to develop this truly unique work and unearth what characteristics drove those cultured Parisians to bloody fistfights in the concert hall.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Charles Dutoit Conductor

Gerard McBurney Host

Michael Boudewyns Actor

Valeriy Yavor Folk Musician

Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

Beyond the Score is made possible by support from the Hirschberg-Goodfriend Fund in memory of Adolf Hirschberg as established by Juliet J. Goodfriend.

The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation is proud to be the Lead Underwriter of the "Raising the Invisible Curtain" initiative. Additional funding comes from the Annenberg Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Tickets: $15-$55, 215.893.1999 or www.philorch.org.

 

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