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Philadelphia Performs!
PHILADELPHIA PERFORMS!, an unprecedented new series of WHYY television, radio and Internet programs featuring four of the region's most distinguished performing arts groups, will debut on Friday, November 10 with a live stage presentation by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, celebrating its 25th anniversary. PHILADELPHIA PERFORMS! continues through December showcasing special anniversary performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra (November 16), The Symphony Orchestra of The Curtis Institute of Music (November 30) and Philadanco (December 15). This WHYY production, which salutes a combined 230 years of landmark performances by the featured companies, includes the world premiere of two works specially commissioned for performances in this series and four debut or "first-time" appearances (find out more on our fact sheet). PHILADELPHIA PERFORMS! also marks the first joint broadcast series appearance by these four institutions, which have many longstanding musical connections. WHYY's Tracey Matisak is the series host. "PHILADELPHIA PERFORMS! highlights WHYY's unique commitment to the arts and cultural life of Philadelphia," said William J. Marrazzo, WHYY President and Chief Executive Officer. "This series offers a tremendous opportunity to show the region, the nation and the world the extraordinary talent and illustrious traditions that are the hallmarks of Philadelphia's cultural community. "PHILADELPHIA PERFORMS! represents the vast potential of our Arts, Culture and Humanities Service, whose mission is to help brand the region as a tourist destination and define the Delaware Valley as a world-class center for the cultural arts," said Marrazzo. The organizations featured in PHILADELPHIA PERFORMS! are connected by more than geography and a tradition of excellence. They have, in many cases, shared performance spaces, musicians and teacher-student relationships for decades. For example, nearly half of the current Philadelphia Orchestra members are Curtis graduates. Violinist Jason DePue, who performed on stage as a student in the Curtis program as assistant concertmaster, will also appear in the live Philadelphia Orchestra broadcast as a current member of the first violin section. Opera Company soloist Juan Diego Florez is also a Curtis alumnus. PHILADELPHIA PERFORMS! programs will offer additional features to accompany the musical presentations. Between selections and during intermission of the Philadelphia Orchestra broadcast, viewers - as well as the audience in the Academy of Music - will learn about the legacy of the Orchestra's music directors, the famous guest artists who have appeared during the Orchestra's 100 years, community music and education programs, the restoration of the Orchestra's vintage recordings and plans for the new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. During Opera Company intermissions, WHYY will present interviews with soloists and members of the production team, along with a look at rehearsals for the production. The Curtis Symphony Orchestra program will review The Institute's unmatched historical achievements, and the Philadanco audience will witness the creation of a new dance program. WHYY is working with producers and directors who are known nationally for cultural performance programming. The series producer is Clemente D'Alessio, who has for years produced the annual Richard Tucker Opera Gala, as well as The Metropolitan Opera Presents and many other musical programs. Noted television directors Kirk Browning (Curtis) Alan Skog (Opera) and Brian Large (Philadelphia Orchestra) have joined the production team. For WHYY, Paul Gluck is Executive Producer and Kenneth Finkel is Executive Director of the Arts, Culture and Humanities Service. WHYY technical crews are staffing cameras and other production equipment for the series. |
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