Henry Segerstrom News

Orange County, Calif.—Dec. 10, 2013—Singing lines of sweet emotion transform into a joyful and abundantly virtuosic showpiece—Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto—which soars in the hands of electrifying violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, who also leads Pacific Symphony from the concertmaster's chair for the remainder of the program. Esteemed as “the heart's jewel” by the great violinist Joseph Joachim, Mendelssohn's concerto is led by Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez, who makes his classical series debut during this first concert of the New Year, “Nadja Plays Mendelssohn.” Described as an artist whose talent “will make you hang breathlessly on every note” (Los Angeles Times), Salerno-Sonnenberg stands out for her passionate and powerful sound, her risk-taking musical prowess and her dynamic presence. Apart from being an international soloist, she is also the music director of the New Century Chamber Orchestra and founder of record label NSS Music. Salerno-Sonnenberg leads the Symphony in two pieces that emphasize the strings: Rodion Shchedrin's fiery “Carmen” Suite based on Bizet's opera and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's “Prologue and Variations.”

The International Dance Series at Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes the return of The Hamburg Ballett with the American premiere of John Neumeier's Liliom, February 7 - 9, with four performances at Segerstrom Hall. Neumeier, the company's director and chief choreographer, based his work on Ferenc Molna?r's play of the same name, which was also the inspiration for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway classic, Carousel. The music for the ballet is an award-winning original score by the Academy Award-winning composer Michel Legrand. Casting has been announced and Alina Cojocaru (Julie) and Carsten Jung (Liliom) will reprise their roles for select performances.

The adventurous St. Lawrence String Quartet marks its third Segerstrom Center appearance with an exciting program that includes a world premiere of composer James Matheson's new string quartet commissioned for the Center's Chamber Music Series by long-time subscribers Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting.

It's indeed a happy new year when the awesome genre-crossing Big Band sound of Pink Martini performs with Pacific Symphony for the first Pops concert of 2014! With eclectic flavors from around the world and classic spunk, Pink Martini really is the perfect concoction. The energetic and enthusiastic “little orchestra” finds its musical inspiration from cultures around the world, easily jumping from genres like pop, jazz and classical to establish its own unique blend of music. Formed in Portland, Ore., the 12-member ensemble has been a popular favorite in many countries for more than a decade with its revitalization of vintage Big Band sound, in combination with 1940s jazz, cross-cultural rhythms and much more! The group is known for songs that range from “Je ne veux pas travailler (I don't want to work),” the Doris Day hit “Que Sera, Sera,” “Lets Never Stop Falling in Love” and “Hey, Eugene!”

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced its upcoming shows for January 2014. Details below!

Award-winning musical theater superstar, Patti LuPone, who has portrayed some of Broadway's most memorable roles, returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a special one-night-only performance of her latest concert, Far Away Places on Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Share the love! It's a heart-filled evening of music, dining and entertainment-when Pacific Symphony's esteemed support group, the Pacific Symphony League, hosts 'A Valentine Prelude' to benefit the Symphony's music education programs. Taking place Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, the fund-raising dinner serves as an overture to the Symphony's 'Valentine's Day with Matthew Morrison' Pops concert taking place in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall that same night.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes the national tour of I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, the brand new hit stage show adapted from the most beloved program in television history, March 18 - 23 in Segerstrom Hall.

Spend Christmas with Pacific Symphony and LeAnn Rimes! It's a heartwarming holiday celebration when the orchestra welcomes to the stage the two-time Grammy Award-winning country/pop singer today-Saturday, Dec. 19-21, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Orange County, Calif.—Dec. 18, 2013—Share the love! It's a heart-filled evening of music, dining and entertainment—when Pacific Symphony's esteemed support group, the Pacific Symphony League, hosts “A Valentine Prelude” to benefit the Symphony's music education programs. Taking place Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, the fund-raising dinner serves as an overture to the Symphony's “Valentine's Day with Matthew Morrison” Pops concert taking place in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall that same night. Taking a cue from Morrison, who attended Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), the Prelude features OCSA's premier performing ensemble, Montage!, comprised of students in grades 7-12 with the highest level of the school's artistic talent in singing, dancing, music and acting. After the dinner, guests are charmed by award-winning, Broadway star and “Glee” actor Matthew Morrison who performs a romantic array of show tunes and jazz standards for a Valentine's Day concert that is sure to be the perfect night out with a special someone!

Orange County, Calif.—Dec. 17, 2013—Donizetti's classically humorous opera, “The Elixir of Love,” is brought to life in Pacific Symphony's special adaptation for kids, “The Magic Potion,” designed to give children and their families a positive and entertaining introduction to the world of opera. Along with the most captivating arias, sung in English, this 45-minute performance includes original narration and dialogue intended to acquaint children with the first and most natural instrument a person can possess—the exquisite and powerful voice! Led by Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez, “The Magic Potion” sends the audience on a hilarious journey with circus clowns, jugglers, a lion tamer, magicians and a magic potion, of course! Guests watch in anticipation as they wait to see if this magical elixir is, in fact, a concoction of wonder or just a silly trick.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes the return of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo March 7 - 9, 2014 under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover. The company will perform the American premiere of LAC, a new and brilliantly re-imagined telling of the Swan Lake story by Jean- Christophe Maillot, the company's choreographer and director.

Cascading notes swirl in a reverberating mural of majestic sounds as the William J. Gillespie Concert Organ fills the concert hall with the nostalgia of holiday classics during Pacific Symphony's annual 'Holiday Organ Spectacular,' part of the Pedals and Pipes series.

With evergreen beauty, thrilling choruses and heavenly melodies, Pacific Symphony's 'Handel's Glorious Messiah' is as fresh and energizing to the senses as a brand new Christmas tree-the perfect way to start the holiday season! Rejoice in the uplifting 'Hallelujah' chorus and thundering timpani as English guest conductor Christopher Seaman conducts from the harpsichord, leading the orchestra and esteemed vocal soloists Caitlin Lynch, soprano; Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Shirley, tenor; and Michael Dean, bass-baritone. Pacific Chorale takes the stage, prepared by Robert Istad, assistant conductor and chorus master, and John Alexander, artistic director. Handel's glowing holiday masterpiece summons bliss within the soul, emphasizing harmony and kindness. One of several holiday concerts offered by the Symphony, 'Messiah' takes place today, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Pacific Symphony mesmerizes audiences of all ages with the magic, wonder and imagination of Tchaikovsky's treasured ballet during the anticipated holiday concert, 'Nutcracker for Kids,' part of Family Musical Mornings presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank.

The KahaneSwensenBrey Trio, comprised of Jeffrey Kahane, piano; Joseph Swensen, violin; and Carter Brey, cello, perform an evening of celebrated chamber music at Segerstrom Center for the Arts tonight, December 12 at Samueli Theater.