Mayor Michael Nutter announces The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2011 FREE Neighborhood Concerts presented by Wells Fargo

Orchestra, under the baton of Assistant Conductor Cristian Macelaru, makes its debut at Urban Outfitters Inc. Headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard complex in South Philadelphia on October 4

Orchestra Artist-in-Residence violinist Leila Josefowicz joins Mr. Macelaru and the Fabulous Philadelphians on October 9 as the grand finale of the summer season on the RiverStage at Penn’s Landing

Wells Fargo spreads holiday cheer through additional support of special Orchestra outreach in December 

(Philadelphia, September 14, 2011)—The Philadelphia Orchestra, following a summer of acclaimed performances throughout North America and Europe, reaffirms its commitment to the people of Philadelphia with the announcement of the 2011 Free Neighborhood Concert Series presented by Wells Fargo. Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter joined the Orchestra at a special press conference today to unveil the locations of this year’s free community performances—Urban Outfitters Inc. Headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard (Tuesday, October 4, at 6:00 PM) and the RiverStage at Penn’s Landing (Sunday, October 9, at 6:30 PM). (Please note time change for Penn’s Landing concert from previously printed materials.) All Neighborhood Concerts are free and open to the public. Wells Fargo has supported The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Neighborhood Concerts for eight consecutive years, with this fall’s concerts. This year it continues its support of the Orchestra’s outreach activities by fostering a special initiative that will increase community access to the Orchestra’s popular holiday concerts in December.

“The Philadelphia Orchestra has performed in cities and towns around the world, sharing timeless music that residents of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “As Mayor, I am grateful that the Orchestra remains dedicated to ensuring that all Philadelphians have access to its great music, even in these challenging economic times. These free concerts will be events to remember, and I hope that Philadelphians and residents from across our region have the opportunity to come out and enjoy one of Philadelphia's most globally-recognized and beloved institutions.”

“We are proud to bring The Philadelphia Orchestra back to the neighborhoods of the great city of Philadelphia to perform our free 2011 Neighborhood Concerts,” said Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. “While the Orchestra travels the world, most recently in the concert halls of Europe, there is no place like home. We love performing at the Kimmel Center and the Mann Center, however it is also important for the Orchestra to perform outside of its traditional performance settings. We look forward to greeting longtime supporters and new listeners alike at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and at Penn’s Landing this fall, and we are excited to work with our community partners at Urban Outfitters and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. We can’t express enough gratitude to Wells Fargo for its unwavering support of the Orchestra and our community outreach and Neighborhood Concert Series. For eight consecutive years they have shared our vision for strengthening this community and we are deeply thankful.”

“At Wells Fargo, we are proud of our long history supporting The Philadelphia Orchestra, one of Philadelphia’s world class institutions,” said Vince Liuzzi, Wells Fargo’s Regional President for Greater Philadelphia and Delaware. “As presenting sponsor of the Orchestra’s Free Neighborhood Concert Series for the eighth year, we are delighted to continue the tradition of bringing the Orchestra’s music to thousands of people. The concert series offers a wonderful opportunity for community residents to come together in their own neighborhood to enjoy a live performance of one of the world’s great classical music ensembles.”

The Philadelphia Orchestra makes its debut appearance at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the dynamic waterfront development located in South Philadelphia, with its first concert of the 2011 FREE Neighborhood Concert Series on Tuesday, October 4, at 6:00 PM, at the Urban Outfitters Inc. Headquarters. Cristian Macelaru, in his first performance as the Orchestra’s assistant conductor, leads the famed ensemble in a program featuring popular favorites, including Rimsky-Korsakov’s lively Capriccio espagnol, Smetana’s “The Moldau” from Má vlast, Gershwin’s Promenade (Walking the Dog), Grieg’s lyrical Suite No. 1 from Peer Gynt, and Rossini’s iconic Overture to William Tell. Seating is general admission and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free.

Following last summer’s blockbuster Independence Day weekend appearance, The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing on Sunday, October 9, at 6:30 PM for its second free Neighborhood Concert of the season. Philadelphia Orchestra 2011-12 Artist-in- Residence Leila Josefowicz joins Mr. Macelaru and the Orchestra as soloist in Kreisler’s expressive “Liebesleid” and “Liebesfreud,” as well as the gorgeous “Meditation” from Massenet’s Thaïs. Ms. Josefowicz, who made her Philadelphia Orchestra debut at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts at the age of 15, has a deep history with this city, having studied at and graduated from Philadelphia’s Masterman High School and the Curtis Institute of Music. She also appears with the Orchestra this season as soloist in the Free College Concert (October 6) and in a subscription week (March 29-31), as well as host of the “Musical Prodigies” Family Concert, featuring winners of the 2011 Greenfield Student Competition (March 24).

The October 9 program also features the first Philadelphia Orchestra performances of works by two composers with local connections—Samuel Barber (Commando March) and Jennifer Higdon (Fanfare Ritmico). The Four Dance Episodes from the ballet Rodeo by Copland, Elgar’s “Nimrod” from “Enigma” Variations, and the rousing fourth movement from Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” round out the program. This marks the Orchestra’s fourth Neighborhood concert at Penn’s Landing; it previously performed at the site in 2004, 2006, and 2010.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC), as Chair of the Programming Committee, I am proud to welcome The Philadelphia Orchestra back to the RiverStage at Penn’s Landing. We are thrilled to be able to bring the performing arts to Penn’s Landing, and this spectacular free concert is the perfect grand finale to our 2012 program season,” said Diane Dalto Woosnam. “This new tradition is a great example of our commitment to building relationships with outstanding cultural organizations, such as The Philadelphia Orchestra, who will work with us to make the arts more accessible to all. We at DRWC see the arts as key to transforming Philadelphia’s waterfront for generations to come.”

Wells Fargo Holiday Community Initiative with The Philadelphia Orchestra

Continuing its support of the Orchestra’s outreach activities, Wells Fargo brings cheer to the city as it helps give the community access to the Orchestra’s popular holiday offerings this December. At the heart of this initiative is a special open rehearsal for the iconic Glorious Sound of Christmas program for hundreds of under-served school children from Wells Fargo and Orchestra partner schools in the Philadelphia region. Wells Fargo will also provide under-served families from the region with access to each of the three Glorious Sound of Christmas performances, as well as the annual Messiah performance and New Year’s Eve concert.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Neighborhood Concert Series

The 2011 Neighborhood Concert Series continues The Philadelphia Orchestra’s commitment to celebrating the vitality of neighborhoods throughout the Philadelphia region, bringing the Orchestra into communities in a variety of settings, and introducing the world renowned ensemble to new audiences. The Orchestra revived its free Neighborhood Concerts in 2000 as part of its centennial celebrations as a tangible expression of the Orchestra’s gratitude to the people of Philadelphia for their 100 years of support. By bringing the gift of music into the communities where people live, the Orchestra has worked to break down perceived barriers that might separate it from many people in the community. The Neighborhood Concerts have continued each year since the centennial and have taken place in Upper Darby, North Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square, and Northeast Philadelphia in 2000; University City in 2001; Washington Township, NJ, in 2002; South Philadelphia in 2003; Camden, NJ, and Penn’s Landing in 2004; Camden and Montgomery County Community College in 2005; Villanova University, Penn’s Landing, and Camden in 2006; Chestnut Hill, Camden, and University City in 2007; Camden and at Philadelphia’s City Hall in 2008; Philadelphia University and Deliverance Evangelistic Church in 2009; and in Upper Darby and at Penn’s Landing and Philadelphia’s City Hill in 2010.

Wells Fargo is proud to present The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2011 Free Neighborhood Concerts. Funding is provided by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Annenberg Foundation, the Zisman Family Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s educational and outreach activities enrich the lives of over 35,000 youngsters and 140,000 adults in the Philadelphia region each year, through a variety of musical encounters, including subscription concerts, Sound All Around (for children ages 3 to 5), Family Concerts (for children ages 6 to 12), School Concerts, a School Partnership Program, Music Educator Workshops, Master Classes, Side-by-Side Rehearsals, Open Rehearsals, the Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition, free Neighborhood Concerts, and collaborations with conservatories and colleges.

About our Partners

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With approximately 275,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 23 on Fortune’s 2011 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a nonprofit corporation organized exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. DRWC acts as the steward of the Delaware River waterfront to provide a benefit to all of the citizens and visitors of the city.

The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop, and manage the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia between Oregon and Allegheny Avenues. DRWC intends to transform the central Delaware River waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia. DRWC will serve as a catalyst for high quality investment in public parks, trails, maritime, residential, retail, hotel, and other improvements that create a vibrant amenity, extending Philadelphia to the River’s edge.

DRWC is open, transparent, and accountable in connection with its operations and activities with respect to the waterfront. Through the judicious use of financing, land acquisition, and development capabilities, the Corporation will work cooperatively with city, state, and federal agencies to ensure the realization of the city’s vision for the central Delaware River.

Cristian Macelaru

Please visit http://www.philorch.org/pdfs/Bio-Macelaru.pdf to view Cristian Macelaru’s biography.

Leila Josefowicz

Please visit http://www.leilajosefowicz.com/Artist%20Profile.html to view Leila Josefowicz’s biography.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra is among the world’s leading orchestras. Renowned for its artistic excellence since its founding in 1900, the Orchestra has excited audiences with thousands of concerts in Philadelphia and around the world.

With only seven music directors throughout more than a century of unswerving orchestral distinction, the artistic heritage of The Philadelphia Orchestra is attributed to extraordinary musicianship under the leadership and innovation of Fritz Scheel (1900-07), Carl Pohlig (1907-12), Leopold Stokowski (1912- 41), Eugene Ormandy (1936-80), Riccardo Muti (1980-92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003-08). After 30 years of a celebrated association with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit continues the tradition as chief conductor.

Since Mr. Dutoit’s debut with the Orchestra in July 1980 he has led hundreds of concerts in Philadelphia, at Carnegie Hall, and on tour, as artistic director of the Orchestra’s summer concerts at the Mann Center, artistic director and principal conductor of the Orchestra’s summer residency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and now as chief conductor. With the 2012-13 season, the Orchestra honors Mr. Dutoit by bestowing upon him the title conductor laureate. Yannick Nézet-Séguin assumed the title of music director designate in June 2010, immediately joining the Orchestra’s leadership team. He takes up the baton as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s next music director in 2012.

The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of countless music lovers worldwide, through concerts, presentations, and recordings. Each year the Orchestra presents a subscription season at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, education and community partnership programs, and annual appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center; it also regularly tours throughout the world. Its summer schedule includes performances at the Mann Center, free Neighborhood Concerts throughout Greater Philadelphia, and residencies at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.

NAVY YARD NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERT

October 4 at 6:00 PM—Tuesday evening—Urban Outfitters Inc. Headquarters, Philadelphia Navy Yard, 5000 S. Broad Street, Building 543, Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Cristian Macelaru Conductor

This concert is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission. For more information, visit www.philorch.org/neighborhood or call 215.893.1988.

PENN’S LANDING NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERT

October 9 at 6:30 PM—Sunday evening—The RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard between Market and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Cristian Macelaru Conductor

Leila Josefowicz Violin

This concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.philorch.org/neighborhood or call 215.893.1988.

Wells Fargo is proud to present The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2011 Free Neighborhood Concerts. Funding is provided by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Annenberg Foundation, the Zisman Family Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.