Henry Segerstrom News

It's indeed a happy new year when the awesome genre-crossing Big Band sound of Pink Martini performs with Pacific Symphony for the first Pops concert of 2014! With eclectic flavors from around the world and classic spunk, Pink Martini really is the perfect concoction. The energetic and enthusiastic “little orchestra” finds its musical inspiration from cultures around the world, easily jumping from genres like pop, jazz and classical to establish its own unique blend of music. Formed in Portland, Ore., the 12-member ensemble has been a popular favorite in many countries for more than a decade with its revitalization of vintage Big Band sound, in combination with 1940s jazz, cross-cultural rhythms and much more! The group is known for songs that range from “Je ne veux pas travailler (I don't want to work),” the Doris Day hit “Que Sera, Sera,” “Lets Never Stop Falling in Love” and “Hey, Eugene!”

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced its upcoming shows for January 2014. Details below!

Award-winning musical theater superstar, Patti LuPone, who has portrayed some of Broadway's most memorable roles, returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a special one-night-only performance of her latest concert, Far Away Places on Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Share the love! It's a heart-filled evening of music, dining and entertainment-when Pacific Symphony's esteemed support group, the Pacific Symphony League, hosts 'A Valentine Prelude' to benefit the Symphony's music education programs. Taking place Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, the fund-raising dinner serves as an overture to the Symphony's 'Valentine's Day with Matthew Morrison' Pops concert taking place in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall that same night.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes the national tour of I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, the brand new hit stage show adapted from the most beloved program in television history, March 18 - 23 in Segerstrom Hall.

Spend Christmas with Pacific Symphony and LeAnn Rimes! It's a heartwarming holiday celebration when the orchestra welcomes to the stage the two-time Grammy Award-winning country/pop singer today-Saturday, Dec. 19-21, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Orange County, Calif.—Dec. 18, 2013—Share the love! It's a heart-filled evening of music, dining and entertainment—when Pacific Symphony's esteemed support group, the Pacific Symphony League, hosts “A Valentine Prelude” to benefit the Symphony's music education programs. Taking place Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, the fund-raising dinner serves as an overture to the Symphony's “Valentine's Day with Matthew Morrison” Pops concert taking place in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall that same night. Taking a cue from Morrison, who attended Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), the Prelude features OCSA's premier performing ensemble, Montage!, comprised of students in grades 7-12 with the highest level of the school's artistic talent in singing, dancing, music and acting. After the dinner, guests are charmed by award-winning, Broadway star and “Glee” actor Matthew Morrison who performs a romantic array of show tunes and jazz standards for a Valentine's Day concert that is sure to be the perfect night out with a special someone!

Orange County, Calif.—Dec. 17, 2013—Donizetti's classically humorous opera, “The Elixir of Love,” is brought to life in Pacific Symphony's special adaptation for kids, “The Magic Potion,” designed to give children and their families a positive and entertaining introduction to the world of opera. Along with the most captivating arias, sung in English, this 45-minute performance includes original narration and dialogue intended to acquaint children with the first and most natural instrument a person can possess—the exquisite and powerful voice! Led by Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez, “The Magic Potion” sends the audience on a hilarious journey with circus clowns, jugglers, a lion tamer, magicians and a magic potion, of course! Guests watch in anticipation as they wait to see if this magical elixir is, in fact, a concoction of wonder or just a silly trick.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes the return of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo March 7 - 9, 2014 under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover. The company will perform the American premiere of LAC, a new and brilliantly re-imagined telling of the Swan Lake story by Jean- Christophe Maillot, the company's choreographer and director.

Cascading notes swirl in a reverberating mural of majestic sounds as the William J. Gillespie Concert Organ fills the concert hall with the nostalgia of holiday classics during Pacific Symphony's annual 'Holiday Organ Spectacular,' part of the Pedals and Pipes series.

With evergreen beauty, thrilling choruses and heavenly melodies, Pacific Symphony's 'Handel's Glorious Messiah' is as fresh and energizing to the senses as a brand new Christmas tree-the perfect way to start the holiday season! Rejoice in the uplifting 'Hallelujah' chorus and thundering timpani as English guest conductor Christopher Seaman conducts from the harpsichord, leading the orchestra and esteemed vocal soloists Caitlin Lynch, soprano; Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Shirley, tenor; and Michael Dean, bass-baritone. Pacific Chorale takes the stage, prepared by Robert Istad, assistant conductor and chorus master, and John Alexander, artistic director. Handel's glowing holiday masterpiece summons bliss within the soul, emphasizing harmony and kindness. One of several holiday concerts offered by the Symphony, 'Messiah' takes place today, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Pacific Symphony mesmerizes audiences of all ages with the magic, wonder and imagination of Tchaikovsky's treasured ballet during the anticipated holiday concert, 'Nutcracker for Kids,' part of Family Musical Mornings presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank.

The world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis arrives at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. The much admired and critically acclaimed orchestra performs the music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington for its return visit to the Center. "One rarely hears this music played with such technical brilliance, stylistic authenticity and tonal sheen...Here were the throaty reeds, percussive trumpet blasts and visceral sense of swing that have made the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra the greatest large jazz ensemble working today," notes Chicago Tribune.

Gorgeous and grand, one of the repertoire's most-loved and instantly recognizable concertos, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, becomes the centerpiece of an orchestral showcase led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, continuing Pacific Symphony's 35th anniversary season.

The KahaneSwensenBrey Trio, comprised of Jeffrey Kahane, piano; Joseph Swensen, violin; and Carter Brey, cello, perform an evening of celebrated chamber music at Segerstrom Center for the Arts tonight, December 12 at Samueli Theater.

Casting has been announced for the Orange County engagement of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at Segerstrom Center for the Arts from January 14 - 19, 2014.