The Rockford Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce single tickets are available for the 2007/08 concert season beginning Monday, August 27. Maestro Steven Larsen has crafted many exciting, high-caliber performances including the return of Opera to the season with Puccini's Tosca. New this year, the RSO will be changing its start time for Classics and Pops concerts to 7 p.m!
Listed below are details for each performance, including music and guest artist information for the RSO’s Classics Series, Pops Series, and the newly redesigned Family Series as well as the opera Tosca and the 20th Anniversary production of the Nutcracker ballet with the Rockford Dance Company.
New this year--ticket buyers can select exact seating when purchasing tickets on our website at www.rockfordsymphony.com. Tickets are also available for purchase by calling 815-965-0049 or visiting the RSO Box Office at 711 N. Main Street.
Tosca
Back by popular demand, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra is producing an opera with nationally acclaimed singers, dramatic staging and props, and stunning costumes. Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca will be 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2008, at the Coronado Theatre. Opera enthusiasts will experience one of the most thrilling operas of all time! Puccini's masterpiece tells the story of Floria Tosca, the legendary diva, who fights to save her lover in a gripping tale of political turmoil and human passion, set in 1800 Rome. This brilliantly tragic tale of jealousy, betrayal, and murder is a must-see performance!
Returning to direct Tosca is impresario Vernon Hartman, who staged the RSO’s sold-out 2006 production of Puccini’s La Bohème. Often called the “hardest working man in opera,” Vernon spent two decades as a leading baritone with the Metropolitan Opera, New York, before branching out to produce and direct independent productions.
Tickets to Tosca are $35 - $65.
Nutcracker Ballet - part of the Fetelli Family Series
Celebrating 20 Years as a Rockford tradition! The Rockford Symphony Orchestra and the Rockford Dance Company are once again collaborating to present the Nutcracker ballet with professional lead dancers from The Joffrey Ballet and the Florida Ballet on Saturday, November 24, 2006 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Live music from the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, colorful sets, and dazzling costumes make this the premier production in Northern Illinois. Tickets are $15 - $46.
ComEd Classics Series
Opening night at the RSO is 7 p.m. Saturday, September 29, 2007, with a concert featuring Schubert's masterful Symphony No. 9, "The Great." The RSO will begin the concert with Leó Weiner's Divertimento No. 5, followed by violinist Eva León, one of the most successful Spanish violinists of her generation, as she solos on DvoYák’s lively and festive violin concerto. This concert is also part of the Fetelli Family Series. Tickets are $15 - $46.
Weiner: Divertimento No. 5, op. 39, Hungarian Impressions
DvoYák: Violin Concerto
Eva León, violin
Schubert: Symphony No. 9
ComEd Classics Series
The Classics Series continues at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2007, with “Expressions of Faith” featuring the Mendelssohn Chorale. The RSO will perform Walton’s The Wise Virgins Suite, from music of J. S. Bach, followed by Panufnik’s Sinfonia Sacra. The Chorale will join the orchestra to perform a Te Deum, a traditional song of praise using text from the mass and Psalms, by Bruckner and another by DvoYák. Tickets are $15 - $46.
Walton: The Wise Virgins Suite (from music of J. S. Bach)
Panufnik: Sinfonia Sacra
Bruckner: Te Deum
DvoYák: Te Deum
Mendelssohn Chorale, Martha Bein, Conductor
ComEd Classics Series
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2008, the RSO will perform Jean Sibelius’s triumphant Symphony No. 5, a work written in homage to Finland, inspired by the myths and folklore of Sibelius’s homeland. The concert also features Stravinsky’s lively Dances concertantes, in celebration of the composer's 125th birthday, followed by trombonist Megumi Kanda, principal trombonist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, performing the first-ever concerto for the instrument by Ferdinand David. Tickets are $15 - $46.
Stravinsky: Dances concertantes
David: Concertino for Trombone
Megumi Kanda, trombone
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
ComEd Classics Series
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2008, the celebrated pianist Olga Kern makes her Rockford debut performing two of the most brilliant and difficult works written for the piano, Liszt’s Spanish Rhapsody and Rachmaninov’s famous Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, one of his best-known and most beloved works. Also on this concert, Tchaikovsky’s glorious Fifth Symphony returns to the RSO’s programming after a sixteen-year absence. Tickets are $15 - $46.
Liszt: Spanish Rhapsody
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Olga Kern, piano
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
ComEd Classics Series
The award winning Northern Illinois University’s jazz orchestra, led by Ron Carter, joins the RSO at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008, for “Breaking Barriers: The Legacy of “Duke” Ellington.” Edward Kennedy Ellington was one of the most important figures in 20th century jazz. Leader of one of history’s greatest jazz bands, one of America’s most prolific composers, a brilliant businessman, a charismatic performer whose talent, poise and charm helped break down barriers of racial prejudice, the “Duke” earned his place in jazz history. Tickets are $15 - $46.
ComEd Classics Series
The Classics Series concludes at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008, with a blazing performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. The RSO welcomes the return of Gershwin expert pianist Jeffrey Biegel, who will also perform Leroy Anderson’s spirited piano concerto. The RSO will also perform Alfven’s Midsummer Vigil and Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite No. 2. Tickets are $15 - $46.
Alfven: Midsummer Vigil
Leroy Anderson: Piano Concerto
Jeffrey Biegel, piano
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Jeffrey Biegel, piano
Shostakovich: Jazz Suite No. 2
Rockford Health System Pops Series
The RSO kicks off the Rockford Health System Pops Series at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2007, with the "John Williams 75th Birthday Salute," including pieces from Superman, Jaws, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, as well as the haunting music from Angela’s Ashes, Schindler’s List, and Hook. Rockford Register Star movie critic Will Pfeifer will be on stage with the RSO to provide commentary about the films being featured. Tickets are $17 - $48.
Rockford Health System Pops Series
The RSO celebrates the Christmas season at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2007, with its annual Holiday Pops concert at the Coronado Theatre. The RSO will be joined by the Mendelssohn Chorale in a program of holiday favorites. Tickets are $17 - $48.
Rockford Health System Pops Series
Back by popular demand, “Time for Three” joins the RSO at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2008, for the final Pops concert of the season. The Philadelphia based trio performs an eclectic mix of classical, folk, and bluegrass, including American traditional pieces like “Shenandoah,” “Amazing Grace”, a modern interpretation of Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, and original works composed by “Time for Three.” This concert is also part of the Fetelli Family Series. Tickets are $17 - $48.
All programs, artists, and prices subject to change. |
