RPO Announces Summer Season at CMAC Featuring Music from the Celestial to the Earth-Bound

March 31, 2008

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra returns to its Constellation Brands Summer Series at Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) in Canandaigua, for an incredibly eclectic four-concert series with music ranging from the heavens to terra firma, and from Latin America to the Wild West. 

The concerts, on the last three Saturday evenings in July and the first Saturday in August, represent a perfect “mini-series” of the RPO’s varied and lively concerts presented throughout the regular season.  Audiences will enjoy the informal outdoor venue while the Orchestra displays its artistic versatility and collaborative partnerships in the following concerts:

  • Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.:  THE PLANETS: HUBBLE’S VIEW.  Star-gazers and music lovers unite in this very special collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  The awe-inspiring film and photo images collected by NASA’s unmanned spacecraft – including the Hubble Space Telescope – will be projected on a huge screen and choreographed dramatically to Gustav Holst’s The Planets, conducted by Christopher Seaman.  Each movement in this delightful work characterizes the Roman deity for whom each planet is named.  A special addition to the program is Christopher Seaman conducting the RPO in music from John Williams’ blockbuster score to Star Wars. 
  • Saturday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.:  MAMBO!  Rochester’s own Mambo Kings bring the temperature up a notch with its spicy blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and cool jazz backed up by the RPO conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik.  The evening includes music by Tito Puente, Astor Piazzolla and Leonard Bernstein.  
  • Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.: HOEDOWN!  THE RPO GOES WEST.  A collaboration with Rochester City Ballet takes the RPO on an epic journey out west, with choreography and music from Aaron Copland’s Rodeo (a romping yet evocative nod to simpler times), Jeff Tyzik’s Bravo! Colorado (dedicated to the memory of President Gerald Ford) and scores from classic Western films.  Jeff Tyzik conducts, featuring the talents of RPO Concertmaster Juliana Athayde (the Caroline W. Gannett & Clayla Ward Chair) and Rochester City Ballet, Jamey Leverett, artistic director.  
  • Saturday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m.: FANFARES AND FIREWORKS.  A fitting close to the RPO CMAC series highlights Handel’s Royal Fireworks Music with other selections from the Baroque repertoire culminating in a fantastic fireworks display.  This concert is conducted by Michael Butterman, Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair).

The RPO’s CMAC Series is sponsored by Constellation Brands; its CMAC residency is sponsored by Canandaigua National Bank & Trust.  Additional concert support by Badge Machine Products Inc., Hylan Enterprises Inc. and Morgan Stanley. Christopher Seaman’s appearance is made possible by The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation.

TICKET INFORMATION, PARKING AND CMAC REGULATIONS:

All subscription packages and single tickets are available on Monday, March 31 at 10 a.m. at www.rpo.org and at the RPO Box Office, in person and by phone (454-2100).  Subscriptions are available through July 11.  A variety of ticket options are available; convenience fees may apply.  Subscriptions to the four-concert series with a table for four people can be purchased for $600.  Individual four-concert subscriptions are available for $75-150.  A new $52 four-voucher “Shell Pass” package for rear shell seating, and the $44 “Grass Pass” package for lawn seating also are available; both are general admission seating.  The four vouchers may be used in any combination.  Advance reserved single ticket prices range from $25-$50; single tickets purchased at the gate range from $30-$60.  Discounts are available for senior citizens, students and children 12 and under in the shell.  New this summer: lawn seats are free for children.

Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster (585) 232-1900, and at the following Ticketmaster outlets: Auditorium Theater, House of Guitars and Blue Cross Arena will be available beginning April 14.  Please note: CMAC summer tickets are NOT available at Wegmans.  CMAC Box Office (Lincoln Hill Road, Canandaigua) will be open on concert days from noon to concert start.  All CMAC tickets include a $2 or $4 facility fee for Friends of CMAC.

CMAC concerts take place rain or shine. Except for lawn seating, all other seats are covered.  The grounds open at 6 p.m. and concertgoers are encouraged to bring their own blanket or lawn chair for relaxing on the hillside. Picnic baskets, reusable plastic containers and vacuum-seal bottles are allowed.  Please note the following ground rules: alcoholic beverages may not be brought into CMAC (beer, wine, water and assorted soft drinks are available for purchase); glass bottles, disposable plastic and metal containers, recording devices, grills, pets, fireworks, recording devices and cameras are not permitted on the grounds. Picnic packs are available equipped with cheese, wine, glasses and snacks.  Advanced orders are necessary; for more information visit www.cmacevents.com.

Parking is free in the main lot at Lincoln Hill and East Lake Roads.  RPO concertgoers may park in the preferred lot on Lake Shore Drive by purchasing preferred parking passes: $10/concert or $30/four-concert series.