Cleveland Foundation and The Cleveland Orchestra Distribute 1,000 Free Tickets to Gala Concert 10/7

In celebration of The Cleveland Orchestra's 100th season, the Cleveland Foundation is partnering with the Orchestra to provide 1,000 free tickets to the Orchestra's Gala concert at Severance Hall on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Under the direction of Music Director Franz Welser-Möst, themed "A Musical Journey through Italy," the Orchestra's one-night-only program of popular selections will include Verdi's Ballet Music from Don Carlo, Respighi's The Birds, Johann Strauss's The Carnival of Venice, and Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien.

FREE TICKET INFORMATION

On Saturday, September 30 at 10:00 AM, tickets will be distributed to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be requested via the Orchestra's website https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1718-concerts-pdps/1718---tco-other-concerts/2017-gala/ using PROMO CODE "GALA" at the checkout, or by the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111. The website is recommended for ticket requests, as a high volume of calls is anticipated. Ticket requests are limited to two tickets per household, and will be available until all tickets have been reserved. Attendees are encouraged to use the Orchestra's convenient mobile ticketing option, which provides electronic tickets directly in the order confirmation email for easy viewing and scanning on mobile devices. Tickets may also be picked up in person at the Severance Hall Box office Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and the day of the concert on October 7, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Among the 1,000 Northeast Ohioans invited to attend the celebratory concert for free, will be youth participants from the Cleveland Foundation's Arts Mastery Initiative. This Initiative launched in 2016 to provide access to high-quality, year-round arts mastery programs for all youth in the City of Cleveland - particularly underserved youth. To date, the foundation has invested in the expansion of five programs now serving more than 1,500 youth in music, dance, theater, and photography.

Inviting the Greater Cleveland community to experience the Gala concert highlights the special role the Cleveland Foundation, through its donors, continues to play in supporting Cleveland's world-renowned hometown Orchestra - and its commitment to sharing more music with more people. In the past four decades, the Cleveland Foundation has granted more than $38 million to the Orchestra, including a $10 million grant in 2013 as part of the Orchestra's "Sound for the Centennial" campaign - the largest single grant to an arts organization in the foundation's history.

"Our 100th season represents a milestone anniversary, not just for The Cleveland Orchestra itself but for the community that created it. We are grateful for the Cleveland Foundation's long-term partnership in expanding access to great music throughout our community," said André Gremillet, The Cleveland Orchestra's Executive Director. "The foundation's tremendous support inspires us daily in our commitment to fulfill the promise of this amazing community who created The Cleveland Orchestra, through quality, sharing, education, and celebration."

"The Cleveland Orchestra is a true treasure, not only here in Cleveland but throughout the world," said Ronn Richard, Cleveland Foundation President & CEO. "They were a wonderful partner during our centennial celebration in 2014, and now we're delighted to be able to help the Orchestra celebrate 100 years in our community."

These two hallmark Cleveland institutions previously partnered on distributing free tickets to celebrate the Cleveland Foundation's centennial in 2014, when 15,000 Northeast Ohio residents enjoyed "music under the stars" with free Lawn Tickets to a Cleveland Orchestra performance at the Orchestra's summer home, Blossom Music Center. The organizations are proud to partner again to now celebrate The Cleveland Orchestra's centennial.

The Gala concert is part of The Cleveland Orchestra's 2017 Gala Evening, which is a sold-out benefit event supporting key education and community initiatives that are part of the Orchestra's 100th season and Second Century Celebration, such as the Around the Region Celebration. For information on the Orchestra's Education and Community Programs, please visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/education-and-community/overview/.

ABOUT THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
During its 100th Season in 2017-18, which marks the launch of its Second Century of musical excellence, The Cleveland Orchestra is undergoing a renaissance. Acknowledged as among the world's best, its musicians, staff, board of directors, volunteers, and hometown are working together on a set of enhanced goals for the Orchestra's Second Century - to develop the youngest audiences of any orchestra; to renew its focus on fully serving the communities where it performs through concerts, engagement, and music education; to continue its legendary musical excellence; to build on its tradition of community support and financial strength; and to move forward into the Orchestra's next century with a commitment to diversified programming. Under the direction of Music Director Franz Welser-Möst, the New York Times declared Cleveland to be the "best American orchestra" for its virtuosity, elegance of sound, variety of color, and chamber-like cohesion. For more information, visit clevelandorchestra.com.

ABOUT THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION

Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world's first community foundation and one of the largest today, with assets of $2.13 billion and 2016 grants of $93.6 million. Through the generosity of donors, the foundation improves the lives of residents of Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking and providing leadership on vital issues. The foundation tackles the community's priority areas - education and youth development, neighborhoods, health and human services, arts and culture and economic development - and responds to the community's needs.

For more information on the Cleveland Foundation, visit www.ClevelandFoundation.org and follow us on Facebook (/ClevelandFoundation), Twitter (@CleveFoundation) and Instagram (@CleveFoundation).