Philharmonics & Pops Series + Specials
“Music Connects” is overarching theme
Rochester, NY, February 24, 2022 – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announced its 2022-23 season to subscribing patrons yesterday evening via a video featuring Music Director Andreas Delfs and Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik sharing their insights and inspirations as well as next season’s overarching theme: Music Connects.
“Music offers intangible but irreplaceable community connections – a kind of “social glue” that can bind us together,” says Maestro Delfs. “During the 2022–23 season and beyond, your RPO is determined to create even closer community connections through diverse, accessible, exciting, and engaging programming.”
After a triumphant first season as Music Director, Maestro Delfs will lead the orchestra to even greater heights in its 2022–23 Philharmonics series with a thoughtful and challenging mix of classic treasures, contemporary surprises, world-renowned guest artists, important premieres, and passionate musical storytelling.
Starting with an all-Beethoven concert, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, in September, the series doesn’t let up, closing with Mahler’s “Titan” in June. Beloved classical treasures include Brahms Requiem, Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique, and Strauss & Stravinsky, with exciting new works by Jennifer Higdon, Wynton Marsalis, and an RPO-commissioned World Premiere by Derrick Skye. Rarely performed works by Sibelius, Schulhoff, Rossini, and Dvořák add depth, while virtuosic and world-famous guest artists will bring new flavors: conductors Mei-Ann Chen*, Vinay Parameswaran*, and Mario Venzago*; pianists Stephen Hough, Jonathan Biss, Inon Barnatan, and Simon Trpčeski*; violinists Gil Shaham, Tai Murray*, and Stefan Jackiw; cellist Zlatomir Fung*; and percussionist Colin Currie. February’s A Celebration of Black Composers: The Rochester Connection will include works by William Grant Still, Duke Ellington, and the premiere of an RPO Co-Commission by James Lee III, “Freedom’s Genuine Dawn.” (*denotes guest artists making their RPO debut)
Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik will celebrate his 29th RPO season with a Pops series that truly offers something for everyone, starting with HEARTLAND: The Stories of Country Music with vocalist Rick Brantley in September, right through DANCING IN THE STREET: Music of Motown in May. Other Pops highlights include the return of Troupe Vertigo performing its dare-devil circus feats to Jeff Tyzik’s original music, Decades: Back to the 80s (think Cyndi Lauper, Elton John, Huey Lewis & The News, etc.), and The Envelope Please, featuring Grammy, Tony, and Academy Award winning songs. Guest artists include world-renowned double bassist and jazz vocalist Nicki Parrott, the soulful Shayna Steele, Broadway vocalists Doug LaBrecque and Lisa Vroman, and trumpeter Byron Stripling. Harry Potter fans will no doubt rejoice at Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert on the Pops series in October.
Says Tyzik: “Being able to create music that brings us together is a gift we gratefully share, and we in turn receive yet another gift – the invisible connection that flows between performers and audience. I love the fact that we are all part of the RPO family.”
Holiday shows next season will include audience favorites The Nutcracker with Rochester City Ballet, as well as Gala Holiday Pops with Jeff Tyzik and vocalist Shayna Steele. RPO Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman (The Christopher Seaman Chair, supported by Barbara and Patrick Fulford and the Conductor Laureate Society) will lead Handel’s Messiah, and a collaboration with the Strong Museum will result in a brand-new, family-friendly Holiday Event.
The 2022-23 season will also surprise and delight with thoughtful and diverse Specials, beginning this July with two rescheduled programs from the 2020-21 season: Disney’s The Little Mermaid In Concert Live to Film with songs and score by Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman on Saturday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m.; and National Geographic’s Symphony For Our World that pairs stunning natural history footage with an original symphony on Saturday, July 23 at 8 p.m. – both in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Two more brand-new 22-23 Specials include Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert featuring Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar®-winning score live to film on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Hall; and Windborn’s Music of Queen on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Center. Additional Specials are being developed and will be shared later this spring, as will OrKIDStra concerts and Sunday Matinées.
As a finale to the Season Announcement and to celebrate the new Rochester PILSharmonic beer, the RPO and Three Heads Brewing will hold a PILSharmonic Tasting & Season Announcement Event on Saturday, February 26 from 2-5 p.m. at Three Heads Brewing (186 Atlantic Ave., 14607). The event is free and open to the public and will offer free tastings as well as music by Oktoberbones, a German-style brass band made up of RPO members and other local professional musicians.
Subscriptions renewals go on sale today via mail order form, online at rpo.org/renew, or by phone at 585-454-2100 (Monday-Friday, 10 am –5 pm, please note that the Patron Services Center is currently closed to in-person purchases). New subscription sales will open in late spring. All RPO subscribers will have numerous packages to choose from, including Compose-Your-Own options, along with incentives such as seating choices, free concerts, and free parking. Subscribers will also have the ability to purchase tickets to The Nutcracker, Gala Holiday Pops, and the exciting 2022-23 Specials as well as discounted single tickets for main series concerts before they go on sale to the general public. Single tickets will go on sale this summer.
2022-23 Sponsors: Since the 2019-2000 Season, M & T Bank has been the RPO’s Season Sponsor. They are joined by Rochester Regional Health as Season Co-Sponsor. The Pops series is sponsored by Wegmans and Canandaigua National Bank.
ABOUT THE RPO: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 28th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.
Media please note: High-resolution images and other media assets for the 2022-23 Season can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yuj7ktfz. Interviews and photo/footage opportunities are also available.
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