Utah Symphony to Perform 'TYRANNOSAURUS SUE,' 3/15

Dinosaurs will seem to roam the stage at Abravanel Hall during two special performances of "Tyrannosaurus Sue: A Cretaceous Concerto" on March 15.

Dinosaur tamer and Utah Symphony Associate Conductor Vladimir Kulenovic leads the Utah Symphony as actor Mark Gollaher narrates the story of Tyrannosaurus Sue's life. Premiered in 2000 by the Chicago Chamber Musicians, this concerto was commissioned by the Field Museum of Chicago for the unveiling of the Tyrannosaurus Sue skeleton.

Inventive composer Bruce Adolphe invites audiences to join in the classical music cretaceous coming of age story of Sue, the world-famous T-rex, as she searches for food, chases a Parasaurolophus, and battles a Triceratops. The action-packed musical adventure set 70 million years ago is one of the most popular works for children's concerts around the globe - it has been performed by ensembles and orchestras from Utah to Lisbon.

The concerto was written for 11 instruments and a narrator, and begins with the birth of Tyrannosaurus Sue, who is represented throughout the piece by the trombone in various jazz rhythms and accents. In the second movement, a transition to more melodic music is evocative of Sue exploring the newness of her surroundings and world. Audiences are introduced to other dinosaurs that are represented by different instruments: Troodon is portrayed by the clarinet; Parasaurolophus, which has a duck bill and horn on top of its head, is depicted by the bassoon; Triceratops is characterized by the French horn. The final two movements of the concerto depict with thunderous cacophony the changing world as the dinosaurs move into extinction.

The concert will open with another story about a large animal with a big history: Francis Poulenc's "The Story of Babar". This work was written for a narrator and piano to tell the beloved children's tale of Babar the Elephant and his adventures in the city and the forests of his home.

These performances are a perfect way for the entire family to spend a Saturday morning or afternoon. The concerts will be at 11 AM and 12:30 PM on March 15 at Abravanel Hall.

Single tickets for the performance start at $18 and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or online by visiting www.utahsymphony.org. Season subscribers can purchase discounted tickets by contacting (801) 533-6683. Those desiring group discounts should call (801) 869-9046. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability, and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.