SoundMusic Announces Summer Concerts at Mystic Aquarium, Kicks Off Tonight

SoundMusic, the bold new venture that last summer brought two critically-acclaimed symphonic concerts and one very popular big band production to Harkness Memorial State Park, will present three performances this summer at one of southeastern Connecticut's most cherished locations, Mystic Aquarium.

The season will open on Sunday, August 1 with a "Swing Dance Under the Stars" Gala Fundraiser, featuring the Cab Calloway Orchestra. "Ecstasy, Elegance, Elegy, Elvis," a classical symphonic program featuring world-renowned harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio and members of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, will take place on Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14. These two performances will also feature SoundMusic's Music Director and Maestro Martin Piecuch in a performance of Glazunov's Concerto for Alto Saxophone. Each performance begins at 8 p.m.

Retaining one of the largest parts of their appeal to the public, all three performances will occur outdoors, under the stars. Rather than being flanked by Long Island Sound, concert-goers will sit within view of the aquarium's outdoor "Arctic Coast" exhibit, home to beluga whales.

"In this difficult economy, we found it prudent to scale back our productions while still maintaining the vision of returning to large events on Long Island Sound in future seasons," said SoundMusic Executive Director Ron Murray. "We plan to repay every dollar we owe from our inaugural season in 2009. To do that, we must have a season. We are thrilled to carry out this year's through a marvelous collaboration with Mystic Aquarium."

"We are happy to be the presenting sponsor of SoundMusic this season, providing a bridge to what we hope will be a long and successful future for this cultural treasure," said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation. "This collaboration is mutually beneficial. We hope to bring SoundMusic new audiences for futures seasons, as well as show music aficionados the beauty of our aquarium and encourage them to visit."

Tickets for each performance begin at $35 and go on sale May 21. For information or to purchase tickets, visit mysticaquarium.org or call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520. All ticket proceeds will benefit SoundMusic. Drinks and light fare created by Ocean Blue Catering, Mystic Aquarium's exclusive on-site caterer, will be available for purchase at each performance.

Mystic Aquarium is also hosting a SoundMusic fundraiser on June 17 that will feature food, wine, music and an auction.

For additional information on the fundraiser or performances, contact Ron Murray, executive director of SoundMusic, at (860) 303-6126.

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