Henry Segerstrom News

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.

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.

Orange County, Calif.—Dec. 10, 2013—Singing lines of sweet emotion transform into a joyful and abundantly virtuosic showpiece—Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto—which soars in the hands of electrifying violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, who also leads Pacific Symphony from the concertmaster's chair for the remainder of the program. Esteemed as “the heart's jewel” by the great violinist Joseph Joachim, Mendelssohn's concerto is led by Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez, who makes his classical series debut during this first concert of the New Year, “Nadja Plays Mendelssohn.” Described as an artist whose talent “will make you hang breathlessly on every note” (Los Angeles Times), Salerno-Sonnenberg stands out for her passionate and powerful sound, her risk-taking musical prowess and her dynamic presence. Apart from being an international soloist, she is also the music director of the New Century Chamber Orchestra and founder of record label NSS Music. Salerno-Sonnenberg leads the Symphony in two pieces that emphasize the strings: Rodion Shchedrin's fiery “Carmen” Suite based on Bizet's opera and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's “Prologue and Variations.”

Pacific Symphony shares its stage and presents some of the best community talent, while providing an opportunity to be inspired and learn from professionals during three events collectively titled, “OC Front and Center.” Beginning Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at 2 p.m., in the Samueli Theater, acclaimed violinist and music educator Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg takes three multi-generational violinists to the next level in a Violin Master Class.

The standout young Israeli pianist Roman Rabinovich will perform as soloist with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Principal Guest Conductor Boguslaw Dawidow in a cross-country tour of the United States from January 22nd to March 16th, 2014.

The Record Company will open for legendary blues guitarist B.B. King at his Segerstrom Center debut tonight, December 8 at 7 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. The band is a rock/blues/roots trio based in Los Angeles and consists of Chris Vos (guitar, lead vocals, harmonica), Alex Stiff (bass, guitar, vocals), and Marc Cazorla (drums, pianos, vocals). Steeped in the classic sounds of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker along with the raw rock 'n' roll of The Stooges and The Yardbirds, The Record Company has burst onto the scene in a very short time.

Conductor James Conlon, Music Director of LA Opera, will lead a series of Britten performances across the Southland as part of the Britten 100/LA celebration, in commemoration of the 2013 Benjamin Britten centenary.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes jazz master Dr. Lonnie Smith in his Center debut on February 21 and 22 in Samueli Theater. He will be joined by guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and drummer Johnathan Blake. Musician, composer, performer and recording artist, the Doctor is a guru of the Hammond B-3 organ. With a career that spans more than five decades, he is affectionately dubbed "The Turbanator" and has been featured on more than 70 albums and has performed with some of the best in the music industry. Today, a new generation of audiences and music makers are happily discovering and sampling his innovative and boundless grooves.

As the festive month of December approaches, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale ring in the season with a cornucopia of holiday shows. The Center presents three yuletide concerts, including the return of Fiesta Navidad with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano (December 4), the Center debut of The Beach Boys performing their Christmas show (December 7) and American vocal ensemble The Manhattan Transfer entertaining with holiday favorites (December 16).

Orange County, Calif.—Dec. 3, 2013—One of Russia's most fascinating and complex composers—Dmitri Shostakovich—goes under the magnifying glass when Pacific Symphony partners with Chapman University's Global Arts Program to present “Decoding Shostakovich,” a festival dedicated to the iconic composer, whose life unfolded under the Soviet system. There are myriad reasons for a festival devoted to this fascinating man, beginning with the tremendous impact he had on classical music in Russia and beyond. Through classical concerts and a wide array of presentations (discussions, film, dance, lecture, piano recital, theater, symposium, book club and master classes), “Decoding Shostakovich” probes deeply into the man to reveal the composer's relationship to his home country, its culture and politics and the effects these had on his music. The festival, which began in November, continues into February 2014. For more information about “Decoding Shostakovich,” visit: http://www.pacificsymphony.org/shostakovich_festival. (See the complete festival schedule below.)

Emotional arias and powerful choruses have the audience rejoicing in the victory of 'Judas Maccabaeus,' as Pacific Symphony opens the holiday season with the rare opportunity to hear Handel's jubilant oratorio. With all of the drama and flair of his operas, the Baroque composer masterfully tells of the Israelites' rich journey from hardship to triumph. One of peace, harmony and faith, the story of Judas Maccabees forms the basis for the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, and is often defined as history's first war for religious freedom.

Orange County, Calif.—Nov. 26, 2013—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 on Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 19-21, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Rimes' sweet southern charm and big, rich voice embrace the holiday spirit as she performs songs from her Christmas album, “What a Wonderful World,” plus fan favorites such as “How Do I Live” and “Can't Fight the Moonlight,” all backed by the lush sounds of the Symphony. Breaking into the country music scene at age 13 with the release of the hit song and album, “Blue,” Rimes became the youngest person to ever win a Grammy—and then went on to sell more than 37 million records worldwide. Now 31 and having just released her 14th album, “Spitfire,” the former prodigy has become known for her easy banter between songs, warm smile and undeniable talent.

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.

Musical macabre and mayhem will take to stage at Segerstrom Hall as founding father of modern horror rock music, Alice Cooper, makes his Segerstrom Center debut tonight, November 26 at 7:30 p.m. as part of his Raise the Dead tour.

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. The evening ignites with the talent of virtuoso organist Todd Wilson, Broadway soprano Lisa Vroman and accompanying Symphony principal musicians: Timothy Landauer, cello; Benjamin Smolen, flute; Barry Perkins, trumpet; and Mindy Ball, harp. Visiting the Symphony for the fourth year, Wilson, head of the organ department at The Cleveland Institute of Music and curator of the E.M. Skinner pipe organ at Severance Hall, also performs organ works by Bach, Widor, Carter and Purvis. This concert takes place one night only, Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets are $15-75; for more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

Orange County, Calif.—Nov. 22, 2013—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. Led for the first time by Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez, the Symphony teams up with the dazzling dancers of Festival Ballet Theatre to bring the story of Clara and her brave prince to life! Tchaikovsky's beautiful melodies soar and the colorful dancers enchant throughout the epic battle with the Mouse King, the Land of Sweets, Waltz of the Flowers and the captivating Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Especially suited for children ages 5-11, but just as enjoyable for parents and grandparents alike, this 45-minute version is narrated by Bree Burgess of No Square Theatre in Laguna Beach. The festive tradition also includes a holiday sing-along of “Jingle Bells,” “The Dreidel Song” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” And a special guest is set to arrive sporting his famous red suit and fluffy white beard to spread the holiday cheer—Santa Claus!

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.

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 Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.