Steppenwolf Theatre's Tim Hopper to Narrate Chicago Philharmonic's HAUNTED HEARTS

Tim Hopper of Steppenwolf Theatre, and theremin player Mysterion (better known as virtuoso violinist Robert Hanford) will join the Chicago Philharmonic on October 30 for Haunted Hearts, a Halloween-themed concert celebrating the spine-tingling sound of the harpsichord, and the dark side of love.

Mr. Hopper will read selections that compliment music on the program, including the short story The Fly, which inspirEd Randall Woolf to compose My Insect Bride. Excerpts from the script to Psycho will accompany the Suite from Herrmann's chilling film score for Hitchcock's masterpiece, and selections from Pirandello's exploration of madness, Henry IV, will pair with Piazzolla's Oblivion (Piazzolla having written the score to the film version of Pirandello's play). Thirty minutes before the concert, theremin player Mysterion will dazzle in the main floor lobby with his mastery of an instrument synonymous with sci-fi and spooky fun. Audience members are encouraged to attend in costume. The full program is listed below.

Halloween-Themed "Haunted Hearts"Features Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Piazzolla's Oblivion, Herrmann's Psycho Score & More Alongside Bone-Chilling Narration Chicago, IL - (September 21, 2016) Just in time for Halloween, the Chicago Philharmonic's 2016-17 season dedicated to love continues October 30 with Haunted Hearts, conjuring up bittersweet past loves, nightmarish scenes, and the bug that got away. C.P.E. Bach's Symphony No. 5, a devilishly difficult showpiece, sets the tone with its careening runs and shocking use of harmony. Piazzolla's tango-infused Oblivion, Michael Nyman's minimalistic Concerto for Amplified Harpsichord and Strings, and a suite from Bernard Herrmann's cataclysmic Psycho score follow. Next, the orchestra performs Woolf's evocative tonal soundscape, My Insect Bride. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 - with its treacherous but beloved harpsichord cadenza - reminds the audience that it's all in good fun after all. Tim Hopper of the Steppenwolf Theatre provides bone-chilling narration, and expert theremin player Mysterion performs eerie pre-concert music. Audience members are invited to come in costume.

IF YOU GO:

Haunted Hearts
Sunday, October 30, 2016, 3 pm
Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E Randolph St, Chicago)

Scott Speck, conductor
Jory Vinikour, harpsichord
Marie Tachouet, flute
David Perry, violin
Tim Hopper of Steppenwolf Theatre, narrator

Tickets: $25 - $75 (my.harristheaterchicago.org/single/SYOS.aspx?p=7507)
Subscriptions: $45 - $281 (web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/34171/packages)
More information: www.chicagophilharmonic.org/haunted-hearts

The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of over 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Governed under a groundbreaking structure of musician leadership, the Society presents concerts at venues throughout the Chicago area that cover the full spectrum of classical music, from Bach to Britten and beyond. The Society's orchestra, known simply as the Chicago Philharmonic, has been called "one of the country's finest symphonic orchestras" (Chicago Tribune), and its unique chamber music ensembles, which perform as the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players (cp2), draw from its vast pool of versatile musicians. The Society's outreach programs connect Chicago-area youth to classical music and provide performance opportunities for members of the community. Founded 26 years ago by principal musicians from the Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic currently serves as the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet, continues its 21-year association with the Ravinia Festival, and presents symphonic concerts in Chicago's North Shore region and, beginning in May 2016, at the Harris Theater.