John Alexander News

The Board of Directors of Pacific Chorale, the resident choir of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, has announced its 2016-2017 season, the final season for its long-serving Artistic Director, John Alexander. The season will mark the organization's 49th season and will be John Alexander's 45th conducting the internationally acclaimed 140-member choir.

Mesmerizing virtuoso, former child prodigy and so famous she goes by one name—Midori—joins Pacific Symphony to perform Erich Korngold's achingly beautiful Violin Concerto, which the composer reimagined from four of his acclaimed film scores. The exquisite program is led by Grammy and Juno award-winning music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Bramwell Tovey, of whom Musical America has called: “One of the most versatile and charismatic musicians in the world.” Tovey also leads the orchestra in grand and thrilling music inspired by the galaxy—Gustav Holst's dramatic interpretation of the cosmos, “The Planets,” enhanced by the voices of the women of Pacific Chorale (John Alexander, artistic director); plus, Debussy's luminous piano piece, “Clair de Lune,” orchestrated by the legendary Leopold Stokowski. 

I'LL SAY SHE IS, the legendary musical comedy that was the Broadway debut of the Marx Brothers, will be seen in an historic new production at The Connelly Theater beginning previews May 28. Opening is slated for June 2.

Orange County, Calif.—March 22, 2016—Pacific Symphony announces a blockbuster Summer Festival 2016 designed to evoke the memories of the last 30 years with exhilarating and iconic music for the final season at Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre before its scheduled closure. Warm pleasant evenings, picnic baskets flowing with delectable goodies, surrounded by family and friends, are only the cherry on the top—for those planning their summer around five exceptional musical experiences under the stars. The Symphony's 2016 Summer Festival kicks off with a “July 4 Spectacular,” featuring a symphonic tribute to Michael Jackson's music, culminating in a magnificent fireworks display! Then, Music Director Carl St.Clair leads an ode to joy with Beethoven's famous Ninth Symphony, followed by a night at the movies with John Williams memorable score from one of the best-loved films, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Next up is Sheena Easton and “The Spy Who Loves Me,” featuring memorable music from James Bond movies and more; and finally, the Symphony's summer goes out with a bang for the annual favorite, “Tchaikovsky Spectacular,” bursting with cannons and fireworks for the “1812” Overture!

Mesmerizing virtuoso, former child prodigy and so famous she goes by one name—Midori—joins Pacific Symphony to perform Erich Korngold's achingly beautiful Violin Concerto, which the composer reimagined from four of his acclaimed film scores. The exquisite program is led by Grammy and Juno award-winning music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Bramwell Tovey, of whom Musical America has called: “One of the most versatile and charismatic musicians in the world.” Tovey also leads the orchestra in grand and thrilling music inspired by the galaxy—Gustav Holst's dramatic interpretation of the cosmos, “The Planets,” enhanced by the voices of the women of Pacific Chorale (John Alexander, artistic director); plus, Debussy's luminous piano piece, “Clair de Lune,” orchestrated by the legendary Leopold Stokowski. 

-This summer marks another historic milestone for the annual Bard SummerScape festival. For the first time since its founding, this season's focus is on the music and culture of Italy, with seven weeks of music, opera, theater, dance, film, and cabaret keyed to the theme of the 27th Bard Music Festival, "Puccini and His World." This intensive examination of the life and times of Giacomo Puccini opens a window onto Italy's rich musical heritage from Palestrina to Menotti, by way of the most popular and successful - yet, paradoxically, frequently critically underrated - opera composer of all time. Complementing the music festival, some of the Tuscan master's most compelling compatriots provide other key SummerScape highlights.

This summer marks another historic milestone for the annual Bard SummerScape festival. For the first time since its founding, this season's focus is on the music and culture of Italy, with seven weeks of music, opera,theater, dance, film, and cabaret keyed to the theme of the 27th Bard Music Festival, "Puccini and His World." This intensive examination of the life and times of Giacomo Puccini opens a window onto Italy's rich musical heritage from Palestrina to Menotti, by way of the most popular and successful - yet, paradoxically, frequently critically underrated - opera composer of all time. Complementing the music festival, some of the Tuscan master's most compelling compatriots provide other key SummerScape highlights. These include a rare, fully staged production of Iris, a forerunner of Madama Butterfly by Puccini's close contemporary Pietro Mascagni; the world premiere of Demolishing Everything with Amazing Speed, four newly unearthed puppet plays from leading Italian Futurist Fortunato Depero, as reimagined by Dan Hurlin;the world premiere of Fantasque, a new ballet set to the music of Respighi and Rossini by John Heginbotham and Amy Trompetter; a film series on "Puccini and the Operatic Impulse in Cinema"; and the return of Bard's authentic and sensationally popularSpiegeltent,hosted by the inimitable Mx. Justin Vivian Bond. Taking place between July 1 and August 14 in the Frank Gehry-designed Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and other venues on Bard College's stunning Hudson River campus, SummerScape's 2016 offerings provide new opportunities to discover that, as Time Out New York puts it, "the experience of entering the Fisher Center and encountering something totally new is unforgettable and enriching." Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 15; click here for more information.

Music Director Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony today unveil the 2016-17 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical and Sunday Casual Connections series and special events. This season celebrates the orchestra's 38th season and its 10th year in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Inaugurated by the Symphony in September 2006, this magnificent venue—with its exceptional acoustics and beautiful architecture—changed the world of symphonic music forever in Orange County. Both the orchestra and its audiences suddenly felt the ceiling to their musical opportunities open up to limitless possibilities. The trajectory of the orchestra sped up, allowing for broader choices in repertoire, greater ensemble excellence and immersive audience experiences—culminating, 10 years later, in this momentous season. 

Returning for its fourth annual event from January 14-17, 2016 at the historic Village East Cinema the festival will mark its four-day gathering with divinely crafted films, special appearances and countless fans eager to witness the very pulse of the heart and soul of Science fiction.

Returning for its fourth annual event from January 14-17, 2016 at the historic Village East Cinema the festival will mark its four-day gathering with divinely crafted films, special appearances and countless fans eager to witness the very pulse of the heart and soul of Science fiction.

Pacific Chorale, the resident choir of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, will be presenting its family holiday extravaganza, 'Tis the Season!' on Sunday, December 20 and Monday, December 21 at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Three family shows are coming to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre in December that will add to the festive holiday season.

Three family shows are coming to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre in December that will add to the festive holiday season.

Pacific Chorale, the resident classical music choir of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, will be presenting one of the all-time greatest monuments of choral music on Sunday, November 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall: Johannes Brahms's A German Requiem.

Academy Award-winning actor Jim Broadbent makes his long-awaited return to the stage to play Scrooge in a new version of A Christmas Carol adapted by Patrick Barlow from Charles Dickens' classic story of greed, grief, ghoulish ghosts and eleventh-hour redemption.

Pacific Chorale, the resident choir of Segerstrom Center for the Arts (SCFTA), has announced its 48th season under the banner “Musical Journeys.” Six concerts are offered in a variety of subscription packages, as well as a free community Choral Festival concert this summer.

Pacific Chorale, the internationally acclaimed resident choir of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, will be presenting a powerful finale concert on May 17 at 5:30 p.m., featuring works by Verdi, Howells and Poulenc. Uniquely, the concert will feature two conductors: the current Artistic Director, John Alexander, in the second half of the concert – and Pacific Chorale's future Artistic Director, Robert Istad, making his debut on the Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage, in the first half.

Acclaimed contemporary opera company Opera Parallèle will open its 2015 season with the premiere of a new production of Jake Heggie's landmark work Dead Man Walking-marking the 15th anniversary of one of the most widely performed operas of the 21st century-in three performances this weekend, February 20 and 21, 2015 at 8 pm and February 22, 2015 at 2 pm at YBCA Theater in San Francisco.

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.

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.