Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to Perform at Jones Hall, 3/27

Bringing its historic message of peace through music, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), joined by Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda, will return to Houston for the first time in 20 years on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 8 p.m. at Jones Hall, presented by Society for the Performing Arts. Houston is one of 14 cities on the Orchestra's U.S. Tour - and the only Texas stop.

Led by Noseda, the Orchestra's Houston program will feature Berlioz' Symphonie fantastique, which, through its movements, tells the story of an artist's self-destructive passion for a beautiful woman. As the symphony progresses, it describes his obsession and dreams, tantrums and moments of tenderness, and visions of suicide and murder, ecstasy and despair. Other works on the program are Faure's Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 80; Ravel's Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) Suite; and Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra acts as a Cultural Ambassador for the State of Israel when touring the United States. The 2014 tour comes during the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's 78th season which has been rich in collaboration, as well as with performances in the newly renovated Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Israel's oldest and most influential cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1936, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has dedicated itself to presenting the world's greatest music to audiences in Israel and around the world. Founded by Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra represents the fulfillment of his dream "to unite the desire of the country for an orchestra with the desire of the Jewish musicians for a country." Huberman spent countless hours persuading first-chair musicians of Eastern European and German orchestras, who had lost their jobs as a result of Naziism, to emigrate to Palestine. In doing so, Huberman created an "orchestra of soloists" which, under the esteemed leadership of Music Director and Conductor Zubin Mehta, continues to absorb new immigrants and serve as a gathering point for musicians from all over the world.

Major soloists and conductors have always performed with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Its inaugural concert was conducted by Arturo Toscanini who felt his participation was a means to demonstrate his opposition to Fascism. The Orchestra members traveled in armored cars to play in a besieged Jerusalem during the War of Independence and, among Israelis, the memory of IPO Laureate Conductor Leonard Bernstein conducting the Orchestra before 5,000 soldiers on the Negev dunes after the battle for Beersheba, was an historic moment. Through it all, the Orchestra has enjoyed associations with such renowned artists as Emanuel Ax, Daniel Barenboim, Yefim Bronfman, Principal Guest Conductor Yoel Levi, Yo-Yo Ma, Lorin Maazel, Honorary Guest Conductor Kurt Masur, Itzhak Perlman, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Arthur Rubinstein, Gil Shaham, Isaac Stern and Pinchas Zukerman. Their time and talent have enriched the cultural life of Israel and have helped the Orchestra to maintain its high artistic standards.

In 2011 the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra appointed Gianandrea Noseda as Principal Guest Conductor during its 75th anniversary season and Maestro Zubin Mehta's 50th anniversary conducting the Orchestra. Mr. Noseda is among the most sought-after conductors of our time. Since becoming Music Director of the Teatro Regio Torino in 2007 he has propelled the organization into the ranks of leading opera houses. He holds the Victor De Sabata Guest Conductor Chair of the Pittsburgh Symphony and is Conductor Laureate of the BBC Philharmonic. In 2002 he became Principal Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic, a post he held for nearly 10 years. As an opera conductor, he has led the Mariinsky Theatre on tour and in St. Petersburg in new productions of opera and ballet, and returns every summer for the Stars of White Nights Festival. He has also conducted at the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera and La Scala in Milan. For his activity in Italy and abroad, he was awarded the Cavaliere Ufficiale al Merito della Repubblica Italiana by the President of Italy.

Tickets range from $33-$153 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday - Friday. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.