LA Philharmonic Launches 2011-12 Season With Gustavo Dudamel and Herbie Hancock

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Music Director Gustavo Dudamel and Creative Chair for Jazz Herbie Hancock launch the 2011/12 season with Rhapsody in Blue: Opening Night Concert and Gala, Tuesday, September 27, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The evening of vintage glamour offers an all-Gershwin program, with the concert beginning at 7 p.m., preceded by a reception and followed by dinner and dancing on Grand Avenue. The concert airs on the PBS performing arts series Great Performances on a date to be announced winter 2012.

The LA Phil's 2011/12 season, Dudamel's third season as Music Director, is filled with an abundance of ambitious symphonic presentations, including: the Mahler Project (showcasing the composer's nine completed symphonies with the LA Phil and the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela in Los Angeles and Caracas), the beginning of the Mozart/Da Ponte Trilogy (a three-season project with each opera designed in collaboration with iconic architects), the world premiere of Shostakovich's unfinished opera Orango, the world premiere of John Adams' oratorio The Gospel According to the Other Mary, and the continuation of LA Phil LIVE, which broadcasts three LA Phil concerts to movie audiences throughout the U.S.

Rhapsody in Blue: Opening Night Concert and Gala is being recorded for telecast by Bernhard Fleischer Moving Images, THIRTEEN for WNET, WDR/Arte, C Major Entertainment and the Los Angeles Philharmonic as part of the PBS performing arts series Great Performances. Additionally, the concert is being broadcast live on Classical KUSC 91.5 FM and other radio stations throughout the country and the audio streamed live on NPR.org, with a live chat room at americanpublicmedia.org, NPR.org and KUSC.org. The concert also will be available via on-demand streaming on NPR.org, KUSC.org and classicalapm.org until October 5, and broadcast on American Public Media's SymphonyCast on radio stations across the country during the week of October 17th.

Following the concert, festivities continue on Grand Avenue, closed to traffic for the evening, with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dancing, showcased in a blue, silver and white setting beneath the Los Angeles skyline and backdrop of Walt Disney Concert Hall. Acclaimed chef Joachim Splichal of The Patina Group is creating a gourmet dinner for guests to enjoy. The evening is designed by Gai Klass Event Productions.

"This year's Opening Night Gala Concert with Gustavo and Herbie brings together two musical icons on stage for the first time. This very special occasion will be shared by audiences both in Walt Disney Concert Hall and across the country thanks to both television and radio broadcasts," said Los Angeles Philharmonic President Deborah Borda. "Under Gustavo's leadership, an extraordinary season has been assembled and one that is reflective of the vibrant spirit of Los Angeles. Our programming illustrates the innovative vision and the distinctive presentations that have become the foundation of the LA Phil."

All proceeds will support the LA Phil and its education programs, including YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). A very limited number of Gala package tickets remain, ranging in price from $2,500 to $15,000 including a significant charitable contribution. Please call 213.972.3051 for information.

The Gala Committee for the 2011 Los Angeles Philharmonic benefit at Walt Disney Concert Hall includes Gala Chairs Joan and John F. Hotchkis, and David C. Bohnett and Tom Gregory; Honorary Chairs Eloisa Maturén Dudamel and Gigi Hancock; Maria Bell, Lynn A. Booth, Carey Cullinane, Margaret Eberhardt, Jane B. Eisner, Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Lenore S. Greenberg, Joyce A. Kresa, Ginny Mancini, Soraya Sarah Nazarian, Ann Ronus, Carla Sands, Nancy S. Sanders, Sutton Stracke, Alan J. Vorwald and Alyce Williamson.

The Gala is made possible with the proud support of Rolex, the Official Timepiece of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

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