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FRESNO PHILHARMONIC UNVEILS
2012-13 SEASON CONCERTS
FRESNO, CA—Two time Grammy Award winner – and Fresno resident - mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor joins the Fresno Philharmonic and Music Director, Theodore Kuchar, to kick off the Philharmonic’s 59th season on September 29 and 30, 2012. Ms. O’Connor joins the orchestra to perform American composer Peter Lieberson’s touching Neruda Songs, written specially for his wife, mezzo-soprano, Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson. The work was the final collaboration between Mr. Lieberson and Ms. Hunt-Lieberson before she passed away and Ms. O’Connor refers to the songs as “the ultimate gift of love.” Also on the program will be Maurice Ravel’s evocative Alborada del gracioso and Manuel de Falla’s famous ballet, El sombrero de tres picos.
The concerts open a season of five pairs of Masterworks concerts. In addition to Ms. O’Connor, featured soloists for the 2012-2013 Masterworks include the return to Fresno of the popular young American violinist, Chad Hoopes performing Lalo’s virtuosic Symphonie espagnol; first-place laureate in both the Junior and Senior divisions of the Sphinx Competition, violinist Elena Urioste, will join the Fresno Philharmonic in a performance of Beethoven’s masterful Violin Concerto; and the versatile Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez who will play Rachmaninoff’s enduring and popular, Piano Concerto No. 2.
Theodore Kuchar enters his eleventh season as Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic. Conducting all Masterworks concerts, Mr. Kuchar leads the musicians through such favorites as Rossini’s Overture to William Tell; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 titled Eroica; the always inspiring Requiem of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; and Tchaikovsky’s beloved Symphony No. 5. In keeping with Kuchar’s commitment to feature works unknown to Fresno audiences, the Philharmonic will perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 4, an early work of the composer in which the influences of Wagner are clearly heard.
Masterworks concerts take place at The Saroyan Theatre in downtown Fresno with the exception of Mozart’s Requiem in March of 2013. These performances will take place at the Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall. “Inside the Music” pre-concert discussions are free with concert admissions and take place 1 hour prior to each Masterworks performance.
Continuing its tradition of performing outstanding popular music, the Fresno Philharmonic’s 2012-2013 Fresno Pops! season includes something for everyone. The three-concert series begins December 1, 2012 with a holiday program directed by guest conductor and clarinetist, Carl Topilow. Home for the Holidays! will feature Fresno Philharmonic musicians and Fresno-based artists and
ensembles as they share in the spirit of the season.
The music of Sir Paul McCartney – from “When I’m 64” to “Yesterday” - are indelibly etched in the minds of generations. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Tony Kishman and his Band join the Fresno Philharmonic for “Live & Let Die” on February 9, 2013 - a tribute to the incredible song-writing talent of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.
The highest ranking vocal group in the history of “America’s Got Talent,” The Texas Tenors Marcus Collins, JC Fisher and John Hagen weave effortlessly from the music of John Denver to Puccini to “West Side Story.” The trio is guaranteed to take the Fresno audience on a musical ride as they join the Philharmonic to close the 2012-2013 Pops Series on May 11, 2013.
The Fresno Philharmonic continues its long tradition of offering education programs for students and families. Youth Concerts provide an opportunity for school children to experience the power of a live orchestra concert performed by the Fresno Philharmonic and conducted by its Music Director, Theodore Kuchar. Family concerts are designed to introduce children, their parents and grandparents to the magic of a live symphony concert. This year, Youth and Family Concerts feature Classical Kids’ “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” – a program featuring some of Beethoven’s best-loved works that captures a special friendship between a great composer and a young boy.
For more information regarding Masterworks and Fresno Pops! subscription series tickets, please call the Fresno Philharmonic Box Office at (559) 261-0600. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00AM to 4:00 PM. Season tickets will be offered to the public beginning on June 11, 2012. Single tickets for all concerts will be available August 1, 2012.
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Fresno Philharmonic
2012-13 Masterworks Schedule & Programs
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are held at
The Saroyan Theatre
700 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721-2715
Masterworks I Amor Espagnol!
Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
Theodore Kuchar, conductor
Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano
Ravel Alborado del grazioso
Lieberson Neruda Songs
Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano
Falla El sombrero de tres picos
Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano
Masterworks II The Virtuosity of Chad Hoopes
Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
Theodore Kuchar, conductor
Chad Hoopes, violin
Rossini Overture to William Tell
Lalo Symphonie espagnol
Dvorak Symphony No. 4
Masterworks III Beloved Beethoven
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.
Theodore Kuchar, conductor
Elena Urioste, violin
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Beethoven Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 Eroica
Masterworks IV Mozart: the Requiem & More at Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
Friday, March 8, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. 2770 E International Ave.
Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. CLOVIS, CA 93730
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.
Theodore Kuchar, conductor
Soloists: TBD
Members of: Fresno Community Chorus, California State University, Fresno Concert Choir
Mozart Adagio and Fugue
Mozart Symphony No. 39
Mozart Requiem
Masterworks V Russian Romantics
Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.
Theodore Kuchar, conductor
Gabriela Martinez, piano
Borodin Overture to Prince Igor
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
2012-13 FRESNO POPS! Schedule & Programs
The Saroyan Theatre
700 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721-2715
Pops I Home for the Holidays
Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Carl Topilow, conductor and clarinet
POPS II Live & Let Die – A Tribute to the music of Paul McCartney
Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Tony Kishman and His Band
POPS III The Texas Tenors
Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Theodore Kuchar, conductor
Marcus Collins, JC Fisher and John Hagen, tenors
2012-13 FRESNO YOUTH & FAMILY CONCERTS!
Schedule & Programs
The Saroyan Theatre
700 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721-2715
Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Theodore Kuchar, conductor
Thursday, Octcber 25 & Friday, October 26 Youth Concert
Sat., Oct 27 2:30 pm FAMILY CONCERT
Fresno Philharmonic to welcome new Executive Director, Stephen Wilson
FRESNO, CA— Following an extensive national search, the Board of Directors of the Fresno Philharmonic today announced the selection of new Executive Director Stephen Wilson, an experienced orchestra industry professional. Mr. Wilson will join the Fresno Philharmonic mid-July of 2012.
“The Board of Directors is delighted to have found an executive of Stephen Wilson’s caliber,” said Board President Sasan Rahmatian. “He comes to us with an outstanding success record as an orchestra manager. The addition of Stephen to our management team allows the Fresno Philharmonic to continue its tradition of providing outstanding performances and meaningful service to our community.”
Fresno Philharmonic Music Director Theodore Kuchar said, “I could not be happier about the selection of Stephen Wilson as our new Executive Director. I am looking forward to working with him to ensure that the Fresno Philharmonic continues to be one of the premiere performing arts organizations in our community.”
Mr. Wilson comes to Fresno from Binghamton, NY where he has successfully led the Binghamton Philharmonic as Executive Director for the past 12 years. In that position, he oversaw the search for music director José-Luis Novo, the establishment of the orchestra’s first endowed chairs, first-time collaborations with local artists such as Galumpha and the Burns Sisters, and the appointment of the orchestra’s first composer-in-residence.
Mr. Wilson’s background also includes coordination of grants for the Broome County Arts Council’s United Cultural Fund Project Grant and New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grant programs, as well as fund raising with the Binghamton Philharmonic for 3 years prior to his appointment as executive director.
Mr. Wilson said, “The Fresno Philharmonic has a wonderful legacy of excellence, providing terrific performances under the artistic direction of Music Director Theodore Kuchar. I am inspired by the devoted support of the Board and community of supporters, and am eager to be an integral part of the Fresno Philharmonic’s future.”
Mr. Wilson will take over from the Fresno Philharmonic’s previous executive director, Don Reinhold who left the organization in October of 2011.
Founded in 1954, the Fresno Philharmonic is the cultural flagship of Fresno and one of the leading cultural organizations in the central San Joaquin Valley. The mission of the Fresno Philharmonic is to enrich and transform the lives of our residents through performances of great music. For more information about the Fresno Philharmonic’s concerts and education and community programs, call (559) 261-0611, ext. 621.
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Stephen Wilson Bio
Stephen Wilson was appointed Executive Director of the Binghamton Philharmonic in January 2000. In that position, he oversaw the search for music director José-Luis Novo, the establishment of the orchestra’s first endowed chairs, first-time collaborations with local artists such as Galumpha and the Burns Sisters, and, in the 2007-2008 season, the appointment of the orchestra’s first-ever composer in residence (Carlos Sánchez-Gutiérrez) which was funded through a grant from the New York State Music Fund.
Stephen was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is a graduate of Boston College, majoring in English and Theater, and Boston College Law School, where he was an editor of the Boston College International and Comparative Law Review. He moved to Binghamton in 1990 in order to study European History on a University Fellowship at Binghamton University. He received his Masters Degree from BU in 1992.
Following his studies, he worked as a grant coordinator for the Broome County Arts Council overseeing the United Cultural Fund Project Grant and New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grant programs. He joined the Binghamton Philharmonic in 1997 as development director. Stephen is a professional member of the League of American Orchestras.
PRESS RELEASES
| Event Recording Notice | Monday, January 12, 2009 | 28KB |
| Name | File Type | Size |
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| Logo Sheet | 234KB |
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| Logo Sheet | Adobe Illustrator | 216KB |
| Horizontal Logo - Black on White | .JPG | 121KB |
| Horizontal Logo - White on Black | .JPG | 125KB |
| Vertical Logo - Black on White | .JPG | 175KB |
| Vertical Logo - White on Black | .JPG | 195KB |
