3 Renowned Orchestras · 3 Blockbuster Movie Nights · 3 Free Family Events · 3 Classical Concerts
PHILADELPHIA (March 21, 2017) – A dynamic line-up of orchestral performances will again take center stage as part of the Mann’s 2017 Summer Classics Series. From epic blockbuster movies and beloved classical concerts to free family events, there will be music, performed by world-class orchestras, to delight fans of all ages and interests.
“Good things are coming in threes to the Mann this summer! Three orchestras, including the venerable Philadelphia Orchestra’s annual return to the Mann; three movie nights; three free family events; and three classical concerts round out our 2017 Classics Series,” said Catherine M. Cahill, President and CEO of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. “This summer’s Movies @ the Mann features our strongest lineup of cinematic performances to date and is a triumph in and of itself, especially following last year’s sold-out night with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert. And we’re particularly pleased to be opening the season by showcasing the best of classical music’s next generation with a free concert by the Curtis Symphony Orchestra just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. Whether you picnic on the Great Lawn or enjoy this incredible music seated beneath our storied pavilion, we look forward to welcoming you to the Mann this summer!”
Three Opportunities for Free Family Fun at the Mann, including Free Screening of Acclaimed Hidden Figures
The summer begins with Music Among Us, a celebration of the finest, emerging musical talent with a free performance by the Curtis Symphony Orchestra on May 13, just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. Presented by the Mann, this concert will also feature young artists from Play On, Philly! and The Rock School for Dance Education.
Then on Memorial Day weekend, the Philly POPS present the second annual Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute at the Mann, a Salute Series community concert honoring the American tradition of service (May 27). Acclaimed conductor Larry Blank will lead this year’s program with guest vocalists Hugh Panaro and Broadway’s triple threat Christina Saffran. In celebration of those who serve, admission to the concert is free.
On Aug. 19, as part of the Mann’s New Frontiers six-month community festival inspired by the 75th birthday of Colonel Guion Stewart Bluford, Jr., pioneering NASA astronaut, Philadelphia native and the first African American in space, and in partnership with The Franklin Institute, there will be a free day of entertainment which will transform the Mann’s campus into a space-themed wonderland. The day will include performances by local artists on multiple stages, space-related family activities, and a screening of the Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated film, Hidden Figures.
Movies @ the Mann Returns with Three Epic Films
For the fourth year, the Mann is elevating the movie-going experience by presenting three, full-length, feature films on its main stage with the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra performing the movie scores live while the epic films are viewed on three giant screens. The ever-popular Movies @ the Mann series returns in 2017 with three epic films: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King™ on June 24, Jurassic Park™ in Concert on July 22, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert on July 28.
Last season’s Movies @ the Mann series broke attendance records for orchestral performances with a sellout crowd of nearly 11,000 for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ and more than 7,000 people in attendance for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers™.
Three Classical Performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra will also take its rightful place on the Mann stage to perform three classical concerts including the return of the Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks (July 19). During this performance, The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève will make his Mann debut.
On July 25, The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru, will be accompanied by the Mann Center’s 140-voice Festival Choir for an orchestral tribute to Philadelphia native and the first African American in space, Colonel Guion Bluford. The centerpiece of the Mann’s six-month New Frontiers community festival, this main-stage concert titled The Heavens are Telling will feature the world premiere of a newly commissioned work Hold Fast to Dreams by Nolan Williams, Jr., the Mann’s Festival Artist Director and CEO of NEWorks Productions, collaborative artistic partner.
Finally, on July 26, audiences are invited to program a classical concert with The People’s Choice Concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra presented by the Mann and WRTI. Listeners to WRTI will vote on their favorite classical pieces, and the top choices will be curated into a custom-made concert. The evening will be conducted by Maestro Măcelaru.
Below is the complete Classic Series line-up:
SATURDAY, MAY 13: Music Among Us with Curtis Symphony Orchestra (Free Admission)
The Mann’s summer season will kick-off with a celebration of the next generation of classical artists. The Curtis Symphony Orchestra is joined by the exuberant young artists of Play On, Philly! and The Rock School for Dance Education. Presented as a gift to the city, this free performance is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with the whole family. The performance is sponsored in part by PECO and is supported by The Jack Wolgin Curtis Orchestral Concerts Endowment Fund.
Conductor: Curtis Conducting Fellows, Carlos Arango Agreda and Conner Gray Covington, will divide the program.
Tickets: Free admission (registration requested)
Showtime: 7 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 27: Philly POPS Present: Memorial Salute (Free Admission)
The Philly POPS present the second annual Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute at the Mann, a community concert honoring the American tradition of service. In celebration of those who serve, all tickets to the concert will be free of charge, with special tickets provided for veterans, active military, Philadelphia police officers, and firefighters – plus local students and Boy and Girl Scouts. Known for his work on the big screen, small screen, and Broadway, acclaimed conductor Larry Blank will lead this year’s program with guest vocalists Hugh Panaro and Broadway triple threat Christina Saffran. The Voices of the POPS, a professional vocal ensemble, will add a rich layer to the orchestra’s patriotic melodies. A particularly resonant rendition of Hymn to the Fallen will include the Philly POPS Festival Chorus, a 180-voice strong choral group under the direction of Chorus Master Jeff Kern, and several hundred School District of Philadelphia choir students.
Music Conductor: Larry Blank
Special Guests: Hugh Panaro and Christina Saffran
Tickets: Free admission (registration requested)
Showtime: 7 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King™ with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra
The first performance of the Movies @ the Mann series for 2017, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King™ will transport audiences of all ages to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. The final film of the beloved trilogy will be shown on three giant screens with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra and a full choir performing Howard Shore’s Academy Award®-winning score live. See this epic motion picture as you never have before.
Conductor: Ludwig Wicki
Choir: Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia
Tickets: $25.00-$95.00
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19: Tchaikovsky Spectacular with The Philadelphia Orchestra with Fireworks
The annual tradition, Tchaikovsky Spectacular, will take audiences through a broad spectrum of emotions with the thundering virtuosity of the Piano Concerto No. 1 and the aching beauty of Francesca da Rimini, the story of Dante’s star-crossed lovers Francesca and Paolo. The evening’s performance will be complete with fireworks after the 1812 Overture. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève will make his Mann debut.
Conductor: Stéphane Denève
Tickets: $20.00-$45.00
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 22: Jurassic ParkTM in Concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The second performance of the 2017 Movies @ the Mann Series, Jurassic Park™ with The Philadelphia Orchestra will allow audiences to experience this groundbreaking film as never before – projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ magnificent score live. One of the most thrilling science fiction adventures ever made, Jurassic ParkTM features one of Williams’ most iconic musical scores and transformed the movie-going experience for an entire generation.
Conductor: Aram Demirjian
Tickets: $25.00-$65.00
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
TUESDAY, JULY 25: New Frontiers: The Heavens are Telling with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Mann’s New Frontiers festival culminates in this signature main-stage concert. The evening is a tribute to Colonel Guion Bluford, a Philadelphia native who was the first African American in space. The concert will feature The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru, and the Mann Center Festival Choir comprised of The Clayton White Singers, Intermezzo, The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Sounds of Joy, and the St. Thomas Chancel Choir, performing a mixed program of space-themed and space-inspired music. This tribute concert will be highlighted by the world premiere of Nolan Williams, Jr.’s Hold Fast to Dreams, a newly commissioned work by the Mann for orchestra, choir, soloists, and spoken word. Chief Astronomer and Planetarium Director for The Franklin Institute, Derrick Pitts, will serve as MC for the evening. Colonel Bluford, who will be in attendance, will be honored for his important contributions to the nation’s space program. Presented in partnership with NEWorks Productions.
Conductor: Cristian Măcelaru
Tickets: $15.00-$55.00
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26: The People’s Choice Concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra Presented by the Mann and WRTI
In collaboration with Philadelphia’s classical radio station WRTI, the Mann and The Philadelphia Orchestra will invite audiences to program this special classical concert. In the weeks preceding the concert, WRTI listeners will vote on their favorite pieces and the top choices will be featured during the concert. The encore for the evening will be selected the night of the concert.
Conductor: Cristian Măcelaru
Tickets: $20.00-$45.00
Showtime: 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, JULY 28: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to the Mann with Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsTM, the second film in the Harry Potter franchise. During this final evening of the Movies @ the Mann series, The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform John Williams’ unforgettable score while the film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen and two jumbo lawn screens. Earning a Grammy nomination, the bewitching and incredible music composed by Williams became an instant classic, conjuring soaring motifs that accompany Harry Potter on his magical adventures. This film concert series has been created by CineConcerts, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and will be conducted by Ludwig Wicki.
Conductor: Ludwig Wicki
Tickets: $25.00-$65.00
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19: Super Solar Saturday: Family, Friends and Arts Day (Free Admission)
As part of the New Frontiers festival, this free community day at the Mann will provide fun and entertainment for the whole family. Highlights will include curated performances by local artists on multiple stages (beginning at 1 p.m.) and the Please Touch Museum’s Space Shuttle traveling exhibition. The Mann’s campus will also be transformed into a miniature space theme park with a moon bounce, face painting, Star WarsTM characters, space maze, Big Dipper slide, space-related science experiments and much more. The day will conclude with a free screening of the highly acclaimed Golden Globe-winner and Academy Award-nominated film Hidden Figures, the untold story of three African American women who worked behind the scenes at NASA to help launch astronaut John Glenn into space (screening at 7 p.m.). Presented in partnership with NEWorks Productions.
Tickets: Free admission (registration requested)
Time: 1 pm-9:30 p.m.
Below is a full list of shows which have been announced to date for summer 2017. For information on all shows or to purchase tickets, visit manncenter.org.
May 13 Music Among Us with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra
May 17 The XX @ Skyline Stage
May 27 Memorial Salute with The Philly POPS
June 2 Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds – Sold Out
June 3 Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds – Sold Out
June 10 Bryan Adams
June 16 Sigur Rós
June 24 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingTM with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra
June 27 Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton
July 6 John Mellencamp
July 9 Dispatch: America, Location 12 Tour with special guest Guster @ Skyline Stage
July 15 The Moody Blues – 50th Anniversary Days of Future Passed
July 19 Tchaikovsky Spectacular with The Philadelphia Orchestra
July 22 Jurassic ParkTM in Concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra
July 25 New Frontiers: The Heavens are Telling with The Philadelphia Orchestra
July 26 The People’s Choice Concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra Presented by the Mann and WRTI
July 28 Harry Potter and The Chamber of SecretsTM with The Philadelphia Orchestra
July 31 Fleet Foxes with special guests Animal Collective
August 2 Blondie & Garbage: The Rage and Rapture Tour
August 3 Belle and Sebastian and Andrew Bird
August 19 Super Solar Saturday: Family, Friends and Arts Day
September 13 2Cellos
About the Mann
As one of the foremost outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann has a historical legacy of artistic excellence as a world-class entertainment destination presenting premier artists in association with AEG Presents. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B and pop take the stage here. The Mann is the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra and has presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since the 1930s. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 200,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s acoustically acclaimed pavilion; picnics, blankets and music under the stars on its great lawn; and dining in Crescendo, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant. For more information, visit www.manncenter.org.
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the preeminent orchestras in the world, renowned for its distinctive sound, desired for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for a legacy of innovation in music-making. The Orchestra is inspiring the future and transforming its rich tradition of achievement, sustaining the highest level of artistic quality, but also challenging—and exceeding—that level, by creating powerful musical experiences for audiences at home and around the world. Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin is now confirmed to lead The Philadelphia Orchestra for a decade into the future, through the 2025-26 season, an extraordinary and significant long-term commitment. His highly collaborative style, deeply-rooted musical curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm, paired with a fresh approach to orchestral programming, have been heralded by critics and audiences alike. Musician-led initiatives shine a spotlight on the Orchestra’s musicians, as they spread out from the stage into the community, and the Orchestra’s numerous education and community partnership initiatives are an important focus of the organization’s offerings. For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.
About NEWorks Productions
As one of the country's premiere producers of inspirational-arts programming, NEWorks Productions partners with leading humanitarian, educational, arts, and renowned institutions to present curatorial festivals, concert productions, special events, and other signature projects, that leverage the power of music and the arts for community engagement and social good. Past and present partners include: The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington National Opera, the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Georgetown University, Oberlin College, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, the Embassy of India, the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa, the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the world class Philadelphia Orchestra. www.NEWorksProductions.com
HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s17)
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