Henry Segerstrom News

Ten-time Grammy Award-winning artist and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master George Benson returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for one night only tonight, March 27 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

'Music Meets Art' at Laguna Art Museum when Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair joins the museum's Executive Director Malcolm Warner in a stimulating conversation about art and music tonight, March 26, at 7 p.m., with a reception beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the West Coast Premiere of Up and Down, the newest work by the renowned Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. Performances are June 5 - 7, 2015 in Segerstrom Hall.

Orange County, Calif.—March 18, 2015—Bursting onto the music scene at age 15 with his hit song “Diana,” Paul Anka took his teenage stardom and turned it into a seven-decade career, penning over 500 songs for the great singers of the day and remaining a consummate entertainer for years to come. Backed by the lush sounds of a full orchestra, Anka brings his talents to Pacific Symphony Pops for a high-energy concert filled with songs that have transcended generations. These include such hits as “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” “You Are My Destiny,” “Puppy Love,” “Lonely Boy” and the illustrious “My Way,” which became Frank Sinatra's signature song, and is the title of Anka's autobiography. The ultimate showman, Anka has achieved unprecedented success on the stage, screen and television. His songs have been performed more than 90 million times, and he's released more than 120 albums. His talent for songwriting has been delivered through the voices of Sammy Davis Jr., Buddy Holly, Michael Bublé, Celine Dion, Tom Jones, and even Michael Jackson through the posthumous release of “This Is It” in 2009.

Backed by the lush sounds of a full orchestra, Anka brings his talents to Pacific Symphony Pops for a high-energy concert filled with songs that have transcended generations. These include such hits as "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," "You Are My Destiny," "Puppy Love," "Lonely Boy" and the illustrious "My Way," which became Frank Sinatra's signature song, and is the title of Anka's autobiography.

Look West is a new event series that brings game-changing innovators in the arts, media and technology on stage for engaging discussions with The New York Times journalists before live, local audiences in states throughout the Western U.S. The New York Times' Look West series is presented by Bank of the West.

Highly regarded for popularizing traditional Irish folk music across the world, "The Chieftains" bring their bagpipes, banjos and exciting musicality to Pacific Symphony Pops for an extension of this year's St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Co-founder Paddy Moloney and his band have won six Grammy Awards, released 58 albums and performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Great Wall of China. By collaborating with contemporary musicians across multiple genres-Pavarotti, Van Morrison, Ziggy Marley and Elvis Costello, to name a few-The Chieftains have enjoyed more than 50 years at the top of the modern music charts. Their international fame stems from their ability to transcend musical boundaries to blend tradition with modern music. The music on their new album, "Voice of Ages," remains as fresh and relevant as when they first began.

Since its very first season, music has been a central component of Segerstrom Center for the Arts' annual series. To help celebrate its 30th season, Segerstrom Center is pleased to announce the lineups for its three core music offerings, along with a few new twists.

'Music Meets Art' at Laguna Art Museum when Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair joins the museum's Executive Director Malcolm Warner in a stimulating conversation about art and music on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m., with a reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event also includes a musical performance by Pacific Symphony musicians, led by violist Cheryl Gates. This concert is part of a series of free and low-cost concerts called, 'Freshly Squeezed Music: Pacific Symphony in Your Orange County Neighborhood,' created in celebration of St.Clair's 25th anniversary leading the Symphony and championing access to quality music in the community. Tickets for 'Music Meets Art' are included with admission to the museum ($7, $5 for students). Reserve tickets at www.lagunaartmuseum.org. See calendar below for remaining Freshly Squeezed Music concerts.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is rolling out plans for its 30th Season, beginning with the 2015 - 2016 Broadway line-up. It will be a year of extraordinary artists, blockbuster shows and world renowned companies: great dance and Broadway hits, jazz, cabaret and classical music, family entertainment plus many special guests and events.

Orange County, Calif.—March 6, 2015—The world's most brilliant playwright—William Shakespeare—is reimagined in unexpected ways when Pacific Symphony partners with Chapman University to present “Shakespeare Reimagined,” a festival that explores how The Bard's plays have inspired not only other playwrights and directors, but also composers, choreographers and filmmakers. The festival, which runs through April 19, began last month with “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” at Chapman University, and continues on March 13 with a semi-staged version of Mendelssohn's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” performed by The Chapman Orchestra, Women's Choir and Department of Theatre students. The festival culminates April 16-19 with four Pacific Symphony concerts featuring Prokofiev's “Romeo and Juliet.” The ballet is presented with actors and dancers who help reinstate the composer's original happy ending, which was banned by Joseph Stalin. For a complete listing of events, which include classical concerts, discussions, film screenings, dance, lectures, theater, master classes and a symposium on interpreting Shakespeare, please see the calendar below, or visit http://www.chapman.edu/events/shakespeare-reimagined/event-calendar.aspx.

Registration to audition for PSYE's 2015-16 season is now open. The 2014 season saw 430 musicians audition, of which 227 were accepted, representing 72 schools program wide.

Highly regarded for popularizing traditional Irish folk music across the world, “The Chieftains” bring their bagpipes, banjos and exciting musicality to Pacific Symphony Pops for an extension of this year's St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Co-founder Paddy Moloney and his band have won six Grammy Awards, released 58 albums and performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Great Wall of China. By collaborating with contemporary musicians across multiple genres—Pavarotti, Van Morrison, Ziggy Marley and Elvis Costello, to name a few—The Chieftains have enjoyed more than 50 years at the top of the modern music charts. Their international fame stems from their ability to transcend musical boundaries to blend tradition with modern music. The music on their new album, “Voice of Ages,” remains as fresh and relevant as when they first began.

American Ballet Theatre returns to Segerstrom Center with the World Premiere of the classic ballet The Sleeping Beauty as choreographed by Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. ABT's return to Orange County from tonight, March 3 - 8 marks the company's 23rd visit to the Center.

Pacific Symphony suits up for an action-packed musical adventure of crime-fighting fun as Family Musical Mornings continues with “Superheroes!” By harnessing the power of music, Captain Symphony (Daniel Emmett) and his family of superheroes, The Winged Woodwind (Diane Manaster) and Super String (Stephanie Draude), defeat the malevolent Percussionator (Ron Banks), who is trying to tear apart the orchestra!

One remarkable vocalist honors another when Grammy Award winner Kurt Elling pays homage to Frank Sinatra in Elling Swings Sinatra this weekend, February 27 & 28 in Samueli Theater.

Orange County, Calif.—Feb. 25, 2015—An evening of profound emotion and beautiful introspection takes place when Pacific Symphony performs “Tchaikovsky's Pathétique,” a concert of deep personal meaning to Music Director Carl St.Clair during his 25th anniversary season. In January 1990, St.Clair auditioned to become the Symphony's maestro, and it was Tchaikovsky's eloquent and impassioned Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique,” that forged a connection between him and the orchestra—making this piece a must for his 25th season. Centering the program is the Symphony-commissioned violin concerto written by eight-time Academy Award-nominated composer James Newton Howard and performed by Grammy Award-winning violinist James Ehnes. Howard structured the second movement around a child's melody and dedicated it to the memory of St.Clair's first son, Cole Carsan St.Clair. The performance is being recorded live for CD release along with Howard's first Symphony-commissioned work, “I Would Plant a Tree” (2009), furthering St.Clair's and the Symphony's endeavor to support the works of living composers.

Immortal tunes made famous by 'Ol' Blue Eyes' Frank Sinatra will continue to work their magic on audiences at Segerstrom Center for the Arts during a one-of-a-kind multi-media experience by Frank Sinatra, Jr. on May 2, 2015. Titled Sinatra Sings Sinatra, As I Remember It, Sinatra, Jr. will share first-hand recollections of life on and off stage with his iconic father through stories, photos, videos and songs. Sinatra, Jr. will show excerpts from his father's films, rare family photos and share insights into the world's greatest entertainer that can only come from his son.

The spectacular William J. Gillespie Concert Organ meets its match with this year's soloist, Hector Olivera, who returns for his second recital with Pacific Symphony's Pedals and Pipes series. Known for his passionate musicianship and interpretations of both classical and popular music, organ virtuoso Olivera opens the program with his own arrangements of Bach's vigorous Sinfonia from Cantata No. 29, and Piazzolla's somber “Oblivion.” Guilmant's Sonata No. 8 showcases the vast range of the organ and Mozart's Fantasia in F Minor reveals the terrifying power as well as the sublime beauty the organ is capable of producing. In addition, Lefébure-Wély's March in C Major is spirited in French style, and as a finale, Olivera brings his virtuosic improvisation skills to the stage, creating a new piece based on themes suggested by the audience. This recital takes place on Sunday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets are $10-50; for more information or to purchase tickets call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

The sun will be shining extra bright as Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents Gustafer Yellowgold's Show, part pop rock concert and part animated picture book, this weekend, February 21 & 22 in Samueli Theater as part of the Family Series.