Henry Segerstrom News

The spectacular William J. Gillespie Concert Organ meets its match with this year's soloist, Hector Olivera, who returns for his second recital with Pacific Symphony's Pedals and Pipes series. Known for his passionate musicianship and interpretations of both classical and popular music, organ virtuoso Olivera opens the program with his own arrangements of Bach's vigorous Sinfonia from Cantata No. 29, and Piazzolla's somber “Oblivion.” Guilmant's Sonata No. 8 showcases the vast range of the organ and Mozart's Fantasia in F Minor reveals the terrifying power as well as the sublime beauty the organ is capable of producing. In addition, Lefébure-Wély's March in C Major is spirited in French style, and as a finale, Olivera brings his virtuosic improvisation skills to the stage, creating a new piece based on themes suggested by the audience. This recital takes place on Sunday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets are $10-50; for more information or to purchase tickets call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

The sun will be shining extra bright as Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents Gustafer Yellowgold's Show, part pop rock concert and part animated picture book, this weekend, February 21 & 22 in Samueli Theater as part of the Family Series.

Students eager to make their way to Broadway will hone their acting, singing and dancing skills during Segerstrom Center's yearly musical theater camp Six Days of Broadway from June 22 through July 4, 2015.

Now celebrating their Fifth Anniversary Season, the Glendale Philharmonic Association and Positive Motions Foundation will present Positive Motions Concert Series, Ruslan Biryukov, Artistic Director in a concert performed by THE GLENDALE TRIO, consisting of Roberto Cani, Violinist and Los Angeles Opera Orchestra Concertmaster, Armen Guzelimian, Pianist and Ruslan Biryukov, Cellist.

Orange County, Calif.-Jan. 29, 2015-Led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, Pacific Symphony's opera-vocal initiative, "Symphonic Voices," continues with what is often called the world's most popular opera: "Carmen," Bizet's riveting tale of love and lust about the downfall of Don Jose, a naive soldier who is seduced by the fiery Gypsy, Carmen. Featuring the composer's exquisite music, presented in a uniquely staged production over three nights, the orchestra is joined by a cast of world-class opera stars directed by Dean Anthony, including mezzo-soprano Milena Kiti? as Carmen and tenor Andrew Richards as Don Jose, plus Pacific Chorale and Southern California Children's Chorus.

Youthful musicality soars as both Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE) and Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) perform a phenomenal range of music for their spring concerts. Both ensembles return to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at their prime after bonding at their annual retreats this past January. The students have prepared a difficult collection of masterworks guaranteed to transfix listeners and show off their hard work. Taking place on Sunday, March 1, the day of music begins at 1 p.m. with the talented wind musicians of PSYWE, led by Music Director Gregory X. Whitmore, performing “OLDE School, New School,” a concert that highlights the variety of wind literature across the centuries. Later at 7 p.m., the students of PSYO, led by Music Director Alejandro Gutiérrez, impress as they delve into the magic and power of superheroes through excerpts from popular film music and works by Dvorák and Rimsky-Korsakov. Thanks to the support of generous sponsors, the concerts are free to attend, but tickets are required. For more information, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

Segerstrom Center's Cabaret Series continues tonight, February 12 - 14 with Tony Award- winning actor and singer John Lloyd Young performing in three concerts at Samueli Theater titled, John Lloyd Young - My Turn.

Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair has spent 25 years championing music in the community, and it shows in Pacific Symphony's commitment to access, willingness to experiment and openness to sharing the stage. The Symphony celebrates Maestro St.Clair's 25th anniversary at the helm by sending its musicians out into the community to perform chamber and full-orchestra concerts throughout Orange County, with the majority of events taking place between February and June. These free or low-cost concerts are collectively called, “Freshly Squeezed Music: Pacific Symphony in Your Orange County Neighborhood.” Concerts highlight Pacific Symphony's extensive and varied reach into the community, and include new partnerships with local community-based arts organizations, as well as highlight artists and students currently involved in Pacific Symphony's education and community engagement programs.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the third in a popular series of Blues at the Crossroads concerts tonight, February 7, 2015 with The Soul of the Blues, a musical celebration of songs by Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Etta James, Sam & Dave, Bobby Womack, James Brown and others. Performing on the Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage are 'Soul Queen of New Orleans' Irma Thomas, vocalist Lee Fields, up-and-coming star Alecia Chakour and jazz/funk guitarist Eric Krasno, all backed by The Dynamites.

Segerstrom Center's Chamber Music Series continues tonight, January 31, 2015 with the acclaimed Szymanowski Quartet. For its third appearance, the Warsaw-based ensemble will perform traditional, popular and rare works by Polish composers Marcin Leopolita, Wac?aw of Szamotu?y, Krzysztof Penderecki and Graz?yna Bacewicz. Pianist Joseph Kalichstein makes his Center debut performing Chopin's Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 and Dvor?a?k's Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 8. There will be a free Preview Talk by musicologist and author Herbert Glass at 7:15 p.m. in Samueli Theater.

Orange County, Calif.-Jan. 20, 2015-Rossini's sparkling and humorous operatic retelling of the timeless rags-to-riches tale "Cinderella" is brought to life by Pacific Symphony as part of Family Musical Mornings, presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank. "Cinderella: Opera for Kids!" is an enchanting romantic comedy filled with toe-tapping tunes, colorful characters and splendid orchestration. As part of the Symphony's opera-vocal initiative-which includes Bizet's "Carmen" in February as part of the Classical series-this 45-minute adaptation of Rossini's "La Cenerentola" is designed to introduce children to the world of opera and the beautiful and powerful instrument of the voice.

Orange County, Calif.—Jan. 29, 2015—Led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, Pacific Symphony's opera-vocal initiative, “Symphonic Voices,” continues with what is often called the world's most popular opera: “Carmen,” Bizet's riveting tale of love and lust about the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the fiery Gypsy, Carmen. Featuring the composer's exquisite music, presented in a uniquely staged production over three nights, the orchestra is joined by a cast of world-class opera stars directed by Dean Anthony, including mezzo-soprano Milena Kiti? as Carmen and tenor Andrew Richards as Don José, plus Pacific Chorale and Southern California Children's Chorus.

Orange County, Calif.-Jan. 9, 2015-Composer, conductor and teacher Leonard Bernstein, one of the undeniable giants of 20th-century music, and the first American-born conductor to become a major star, becomes the focal point of Pacific Symphony's second "Music Unwound" concert this season, "For the Love of Bernstein." In 1985, a young Carl St.Clair met Bernstein as a conducting fellow at Tanglewood Music Center. A few years later in 1990, St.Clair stepped in for the ailing Maestro and conducted his "Arias and Barcarolles" during what turned out to be Bernstein's last concert. St.Clair would soon be named music director of Pacific Symphony, but the impact of Bernstein's mentoring to St.Clair has remained to this day.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has expanded its 2015 Off Center Festival to include two Parties-on-the-Plaza (POP) tonight, January 24 and Friday, January 30.

Orange County, Calif.—Jan. 20, 2015—Rossini's sparkling and humorous operatic retelling of the timeless rags-to-riches tale “Cinderella” is brought to life by Pacific Symphony as part of Family Musical Mornings, presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank. “Cinderella: Opera for Kids!” is an enchanting romantic comedy filled with toe-tapping tunes, colorful characters and splendid orchestration. As part of the Symphony's opera-vocal initiative—which includes Bizet's “Carmen” in February as part of the Classical series—this 45-minute adaptation of Rossini's “La Cenerentola” is designed to introduce children to the world of opera and the beautiful and powerful instrument of the voice.

Now enjoying near-record subscription numbers and unparalleled community appreciation during Music Director Carl St.Clair's 25th-anniversary season, Pacific Symphony today announces the 2015-16 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series—packed with familiar favorites, exciting world premieres and hidden gems. Bookended by popular Beethoven works and featuring superstar guest artists like violinist Midori, and pianists André Watts and Conrad Tao, Maestro St.Clair's season includes repertoire by popular composers including Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvorák, Gershwin, Vivaldi and more. The Symphony's opera and vocal initiative, “Symphonic Voices,” continues with Puccini's “Turandot,” while the critically acclaimed American Composers Festival enters its 15th year with a spotlight on the king of instruments: the organ.

Tango Buenos Aires, the internationally acclaimed and most uncompromisingly authentic Tango company in the world, will make its third appearance at Segerstrom Center for the Arts dancing four performances of Song of Eva Peron this weekend, January 17 & 18, 2015 in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Two superb jazz singers will share the stage at Segerstrom Center as four-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves and rising vocalist and Grammy winner Gregory Porter perform tonight, January 16 in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the third in a popular series of Blues at the Crossroads concerts on February 7, 2015 with The Soul of the Blues, a musical celebration of songs by Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Etta James, Sam & Dave, Bobby Womack, James Brown and others. Performing on the Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage are 'Soul Queen of New Orleans' Irma Thomas, vocalist Lee Fields, up-and-coming star Alecia Chakour and jazz/funk guitarist Eric Krasno, all backed by The Dynamites.

Orange County, Calif.—Jan. 9, 2015—Composer, conductor and teacher Leonard Bernstein, one of the undeniable giants of 20th-century music, and the first American-born conductor to become a major star, becomes the focal point of Pacific Symphony's second “Music Unwound” concert this season, “For the Love of Bernstein.” In 1985, a young Carl St.Clair met Bernstein as a conducting fellow at Tanglewood Music Center. A few years later in 1990, St.Clair stepped in for the ailing Maestro and conducted his “Arias and Barcarolles” during what turned out to be Bernstein's last concert. St.Clair would soon be named music director of Pacific Symphony, but the impact of Bernstein's mentoring to St.Clair has remained to this day.