The Hollywood Bowl Kicks Off 2010 Summer Season 6/18

The Hollywood Bowl launches its 89th season with the 2010 edition of the always-memorable Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl and Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Concert, Friday, June 18, at 8:30 p.m. This year's lineup of inductees features pop culture icon Donna Summer, the legendary Carpenters, accepted by Richard Carpenter, and world-renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Special guests and presenters for the evening include multiple Grammy-winning musician, composer and producer Herb Alpert, who inducts the Carpenters, and critically-acclaimed actress Angela Bassett, inducting Donna Summer. In a rare appearance, the special evening presents Richard Carpenter performing on the piano and conducting the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in a medley of Carpenters' hits, as well as singing live with classic videos of the Carpenters on the Bowl's video screens. Other treats of the evening include Summer singing some of her timeless hits, and Thibaudet playing several pieces which showcase his musical range; both artists perform with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins.

Proceeds from the evening benefit Music Matters, supporting the LA Phil's music education programs, which reach more than 120,000 children, teachers and adults every year. In a tribute to Music Matters and showcasing a small sampling of the results of these vital programs, an orchestra and choir of students from Los Angeles' Renaissance Arts (RenArts) Academy, an LA Phil partner school and participant in the Fidelity FutureStage arts education program, take the stage to perform Carl Orff's O Fortuna (from Carmina Burana).

The Carpenters' introduction to the Hollywood Bowl began in 1966, when the Richard Carpenter Trio, an instrumental group that included 19-year-old Richard and 16-year-old Karen, won three awards at the venue's "Battle of the Bands" contest. In celebration of this career turning point, during the Hall of Fame ceremony Carpenter performs the composition he wrote especially for the contest. Within a few years of the Battle of the Bands, Richard and Karen formed The Carpenters, Herb Alpert signed them to A&M Records and the rest is history. To date, the brother-sister team has sold close to 150 million records worldwide. The Carpenters has more than 80 gold and platinum records and continues to sell worldwide. The 2010 Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame ceremony marks Richard Carpenter's first return to the Hollywood Bowl stage since the Carpenters' sold-out performances in the 70s.

Donna Summer first appeared at the Hollywood Bowl in 1979, performing to sold-out crowds. She again performed before sold-out crowds at the Bowl for two nights in 2008. Summer is one of a very small group of female solo artists to have sold more than 100 million records, and she was the first artist to be signed to Geffen Records in 1980 (she was followed by Elton John and John Lennon). She was the featured performer at the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize concert last December, in Norway, and her 2008 release, Crayons, debuted in the top 20 on the album charts, and the top 5 on R&B charts and featured three No. 1 dance singles. Summer and Bassett met more than 20 years ago through a mutual friend, Wren Brown, who is also an accomplished actor and currently serves as company producer for Ebony Repertory Theatre. Donna and Angela share a mutual respect and have remained "girlfriends" ever since.

The much sought-after pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet first appeared on the Hollywood Bowl stage in 1989 and has performed at the venue on a regular basis since. This undeniable talent has been a long-time friend of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and was the featured soloist during the LA Phil's recent U.S. tour with Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. Thibaudet's wide-ranging musical abilities have not only made him an international touring sensation, but he has also recorded more than 40 classical albums and has even entered the world of jazz with CDs such as Conversations with Bill Evans and Reflections on Duke. For Opening Night, he performs a selection from his new CD Gershwin, as well as a movement from Ravel's G Major Piano Concerto.
Additional presenters and performers to be announced.

This evening's performance by the Renaissance Arts Academy is supported by Fidelity Investments and Fidelity FutureStage. Fidelity FutureStage is a national arts education program that links critical resources to local school music programs to inspire students, enhance their learning experience, and celebrate their accomplishments. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Fidelity FutureStage work together to offer symphony experiences and coaching to Los Angeles-area public schools. Renaissance Arts Academy is one of four current Fidelity FutureStage schools in the region, along with Roosevelt High School, Foshay Learning Center and Garfield High School. Ten Los Angeles-area schools have participated in the Fidelity FutureStage program over the past four years.

The "Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame" was conceived on behalf of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association by Wayne Baruch and Charles F. Gayton, who have created and produced all 11 Hall of Fame opening concerts. Established in 2000, the Hall of Fame identifies and pays tribute to artists whose unique achievements embody the spirit of the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl. The Hall of Fame is now part of an exhibit on the main floor of the Hollywood Bowl Museum that includes photos and film of inductees over the years.

Donna Summer, the Carpenters and Jean-Yves-Thibaudet join the distinguished company of artists - John Williams, Garth Brooks, Marilyn Horne, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, John Raitt, Monty Python, Kathleen Battle, Randy Newman, Bernadette Peters, Leopold Stokowski, George Harrison, the Smothers Brothers, Roger Daltrey, Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Henry Mancini, Sarah Chang, Brian Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, Joshua Bell, Frank Sinatra, Carlos Santana, André Watts, Plácido Domingo, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Founding Director John Mauceri, Liza Minnelli, Sir James Galway, B.B. King, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Josh Groban - previously inducted into the Hall of Fame. Drawn from the diverse arena of musical entertainment, including classical, pop, jazz, musical theater, and film composition, new Hall of Fame honorees receive their tributes as part of the Bowl's annual opening night celebration.

The Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl Committee is chaired by Sandy and Barry Pressman; Barbara and Jay Rasulo; and Jonathan Weedman and Raymundo Baltazar; and co-chaired by Melanie and Josh Kaplan. Special thanks to Wells Fargo for its generous support of Opening Night. Additional support provided by: Jaguar, Gallo Family Vineyards, Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts and Cooper Tires.

The annual benefit includes a VIP pre-concert reception and gourmet dinner in the Bowl's iconic boxes and helps fund Music Matters, supporting the education programs of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl. Music Matters reaches more than 120,000 local children, families and teachers each year through programs such as Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA), the signature program of Gustavo Dudamel. Tickets for the benefit and concert ($550 - $2,500) include a pre-concert reception and dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. Call 213.972.3051 for details. Tickets for the concert only ($17 - $120), which begins at 8:30 p.m., are on sale online at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl box office, through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and by credit card phone order at 323.850.2000.

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 42nd season. In January 2010, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the sixth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

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