Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and Met Opera Rising Stars Come to NJPAC This Weekend

A giant in the symphonic musical tradition, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra -- Mendelssohn's orchestra -- presents an all-Mendelssohn program under the baton of the dynamic Riccardo Chailly, La Scala's next Music Director tonight, November 8, 2014 at 8:00 PM in the Prudential Hall at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

Also enjoy an afternoon of favorite arias and ensembles by Mozart and Haydn, presented by four gifted up-and-coming artists from the Metropolitan Opera on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 3:00 PM in the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

Get your tickets now at NJPAC.org or 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
Nikolaj Znaider, violin

Mendelssohn: Overture to "The Hebrides," Op. 26
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5, Op. 107 ("Reformation")

Nikolaj Znaider is guest soloist in the Violin Concerto in E minor, recognized as a towering work in the repertoire.

The oldest civic concert orchestra in the world, the Gewandhausorchester boasts an exceptionally wide repertoire and versatility, serving as a concert orchestra, opera orchestra and chamber orchestra. Its prestigious music directors have included Mendelssohn himself, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Kurt Masur and now Riccardo Chailly, a native of Milan who is equally devoted to concert and operatic repertoire. In addition to his many engagements with orchestras around the globe, Chailly was formerly Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Chief Conductor of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra.

The program also includes Mendelssohn's ethereal Overture to "The Hebrides," popularly known as "Fingal's Cave," and the celebratory "Reformation" Symphony.

Metropolitan Opera Rising Stars: Mozart and Company
Praised as fast-rising talents, these versatile young musicians will perform excerpts from some of Mozart's most popular operas, including Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, and Die Zauberflöte, as well as Haydn's beloved oratorio The Creation.

The three-part series features artists who are on the cusp of extraordinary careers through their association with the Met or its Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Cecelia Hall, Katherine Whyte, AND John Michael Moore accompanied by PIANIST BRYAN WAGORN, will perform in Mozart and Company.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey -- where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey's Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over eight million visitors (including more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.

Visit www.njpac.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC for more information. Get Social! Find @NJPAC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use #NJPACClassical for updates, photos and more.