RPO ANNOUNCES REST OF SUMMER SEASON

For Immediate Release:  May 23, 2014
Media Contacts:   Sally Cohen, 585-749-1795, sally@sallycohenpr.com
RPO Info:  rpo.org, facebook.com/SuperRPO, twitter.com/SuperRPO, rpo-land.blogspot.com

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announces the remainder of its summer season today, which kicks off on Thursday, July 3 at 8 p.m. at Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) with the previously-announced Salute to America. Guest conductor Michael Berkowitz will lead a program of American classics and patriotic marches, including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Tickets range from $15 lawn seats to $49 table seats, with two free lawn tickets for kids under 18 with each adult ticket purchased. They’re available via Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000), or the Blue Cross Arena Box Office (One War Memorial Square or 585-758-5330).

On Friday, July 4th itself, the RPO will play its annual, FREE City of Rochester-sponsored Independence Day Concert at 9 p.m. at the Main Street Bridge, again led by conductor Michael Berkowitz and followed by the City’s always “ah”-inspiring fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Wednesday, July 9, at 7:30 p.m., Monroe County presents the RPO at Ontario Beach Park as part of its FREE Concerts at the Shore series, with guest conductor Daniel Meyer.

SUNY Geneseo Saratoga Field will be the venue for the RPO’s annual Summer Spectacular with Fireworks on Friday, July 11 at 8:30 p.m. with guest conductor Daniel Meyer. Sponsored by The Chanler Family and the Gertrude Chanler RPO Fund at the Rochester Area Community Foundation, fireworks will follow the concert. Ticket information to be announced.

One of the highlights of the summer season is the previously-announced Pixar in Concert on Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Guest conductor Daniel Meyer will lead the RPO in a program full of visually stunning clips and memorable scores from each of Pixar’s 14 feature films including Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. and Brave. Tickets range $19-$69—ANY seat is just $19 for those under 18 years of age—and are available in person at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (433 East Main St.), by phone at (585) 454-2100, or online at rpo.org.

Next come two previously-announced concerts at CMAC:  Classical Mystery Tour: Music of the Beatles with the RPO on Sunday, July 20 at 6 p.m.; and The Ben Folds Orchestra Experience on Tuesday, July 22 at 8 p.m.  The first features the world-renowned tribute band performing more than two dozen Beatles hits – sung and played exactly as they were recorded. Tickets range from $15 lawn seats to $49 table seats, with two free lawn tickets for kids under 18 with each adult ticket purchased. The second, with multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter Ben Folds, will feature high-energy performances of his new piano concerto, along with orchestral arrangements of many of his pop hits. Tickets are $55, $45 and $35 for pavilion seats; $20 in-advance/$25 day-of-show lawn seats. Tickets for both shows are available via Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000), or the Blue Cross Arena Box Office (One War Memorial Square or 585-758-5330).

The summer’s 20th annual fundraiser for Temple B’rith Kodesh is Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Temple (2131 Elmwood Avenue). General admission tickets to RPO @ TBK: Celebrating 20 Years are
$25 in advance/$30 at the door ($50 donor tickets include reserved seating), and are available by calling (585) 244-7060, ext. 227; or by emailing info@tbk.org.

The Fulton Chain of Lakes Performing Arts Council will once again present An Evening with the Symphony the following day, Friday, July 25th at 7:30 p.m., at Arrowhead Park in Inlet, NY. Tickets are $30/$15 for children under 16, with lawn seating for $10. Ticket and other information is available via http://inletny.com/wp/?page_id=4950, or the Inlet Information Office (160 State Route 28 at Arrowhead Park, 315-357-5501, info@InletNY.com).

The annual Frontier Field concert sponsored by Monroe County is Saturday, July 26 at 8:30 p.m., following the Red Wings VS the Indianapolis Indians 6:05 p.m. game. Fireworks will follow the RPO concert, which is FREE with a game ticket.

Beyond the RPO’s July summer season, the Rochester Philharmonic League (RPL)’s 15th annual day trip to Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY will take in the matinee performance of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly on Sunday, August 3 (glimmerglass.org/festival/2014-productions/madame-butterfly/).
The $198 per-person package (upgraded orchestra seats available at an additional $19 per person) includes round-trip motor coach transportation, breakfast snack, the matinee performance, and dinner at the Brewster Inn on Lake Cazenovia.  For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Laura Morihara at (585) 454-7311, ext. 254.

RPO 2014 Summer Calendar:

Thursday, July 3 at 8 p.m., CMAC: Salute to America
Friday, July 4 at 9 p.m., Main St. Bridge (FREE): Independence Day Concert
Wednesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m., Ontario Beach Park (FREE): Concert at the Shore with the RPO
Friday, July 11 at 8:30 p.m., SUNY Geneseo Saratoga Field: Summer Spectacular with Fireworks
Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre: Pixar in Concert
Sunday, July 20 at 6 p.m., CMAC: Classical Mystery Tour: Music of the Beatles with the RPO 
Tuesday, July 22 at 8 p.m., CMAC: The Ben Folds Orchestra Experience
Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m., Temple B’rith Kodesh:  RPO @ TBK: Celebrating 20 Years
Friday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m., Arrowhead Park in Inlet, NY: An Evening with the Symphony 
Saturday, July 26 at 8:30 p.m., Frontier Field following 6:05 p.m. game: RPO at Frontier Field

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its founding in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving more than 150,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Notable former music directors include Eugene Goossens, José Iturbi, Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman; Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his 20-year tenure with the RPO. With Michael Butterman as Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair)—the first endowed position of its kind in the country—the RPO reaches more than 13,000 children through its specific programs for school-aged children. The RPO’s 2013-14 season highlights include Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik’s 20th anniversary celebration, and a performance at Carnegie Hall on May 7, 2014, as part of the Spring For Music festival.
Media please note:  High-resolution images are available, and interviews and photo/footage opportunities can be arranged. Please visit rpo.org for all RPO shows, and view the 2014 CMAC line-up and show announcements at www.cmacevents.com.