Elmhurst Symphony Opens 55th Season on October 17 With Tony Award-Winning Actor Brian Dennehy Narrating Copland’s “A Lincoln Portrait”
Elmhurst Symphony concertgoers are in for a never-to-be-forgotten musical experience on Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 pm, when Tony Award-winning actor Brian Dennehy, highly respected on both stage and screen for over 25 years, provides narration for two remarkable works: Aaron Copland’s “A Lincoln Portrait” and Joseph Schwantner’s “New Morning for the World.” “When immortal words are set to just the right music, the effect is incredibly powerful,” notes ESO Music Director and Conductor, Stephen Alltop. “Such is the case with both ‘A Lincoln Portrait’ and ‘New Morning for the World’ which is based on speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. To have Brian Dennehy as the narrator for these works will be absolutely thrilling. Adding the pure beauty of Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring Suite’ and the prodigious skills of Stanger Young Artist Audition winner violinist Joshua Brown, playing music from ‘Carmen,’ this concert will be one for the ages!”
First performed in 1942, “A Lincoln Portrait” is narrated with the reading of excerpts from Lincoln’s great documents, including the Gettysburg Address, with musical quotes from original folk songs of the period. “New Morning for the World” premiered on Martin Luther King’s birthday in 1983 with words selected from public speeches by Dr. King that spanned more than a decade of his life.
The sponsorship of generous donors helps make this spectacular evening of music possible. The concert is underwritten by Ray and Sally Allen. “A Lincoln Portrait” is underwritten by Tim and Carol Rounds, and “Carmen Fantasie” is underwritten by an anonymous donor.
Special events will be part of this 55th season that celebrates the 20th anniversaries with the ESO of Maestro Alltop and Concertmaster Rika Seko. You are invited to join Mr. Dennehy, friends and the ESO family at the season kick-off event, a dinner from Uncle Bub’s Barbeque to be held in the ECRC Garden Room prior to the concert, with seatings at 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. A vegetarian option will be available. Costs are $30 per person or $50 for two people. Reservations are required; visit the ESO web site www.elmhurstsymphony.org.
The ESO will perform in the spectacular space at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst, which is handicapped-accessible and offers free parking. The concert experience is enhanced by the informative and lively discussion, Behind the Music Stand, led by audience favorite Dr. Ted Hatmaker, which takes place at 5:45 pm, prior to the concert. To purchase season subscriptions or individual concert tickets please visit the ESO web site. Premium price at the door is an additional $5 per ticket to the regular individual concert ticket price. For more information visit the web site or call the ESO box office at 630-941-0202.
The 55th season of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is made possible in part by grants from the City of Elmhurst, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and 90.9FM WDCB, Chicago’s Home for Jazz.