The Philadelphia Orchestra kicks off 2011-12 season with three FREE concerts throughout the city

(Philadelphia, October 3, 2011) – Following a summer of acclaimed performances throughout North America and Europe, The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to its hometown to kick off the 2011-12 season with three FREE concerts. Beginning Tuesday, October 4, this special community-focused week features two Neighborhood Concerts—Urban Outfitters Inc. Headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the RiverStage at Penn’s Landing— as well as a concert exclusively for college students at Verizon Hall. Complete details are listed below.

Navy Yard FREE Neighborhood Concert, presented by Wells Fargo
Tuesday, October 4, 6:00 PM
Urban Outfitters Inc. Headquarters, Philadelphia Navy Yard, 5000 S. Broad Street, Building 543
Cristian Macelaru, Conductor

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, presented by Wells Fargo, 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.

All Neighborhood Concerts are FREE and open to the public.

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.

Philadelphia Orchestra FREE College Night
Thursday, October 6, 8:00 PM
Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Cristian Macelaru, Conductor
Leila Josefowicz, Violin

A free Philadelphia Orchestra concert just for college students kicks off The Philadelphia Orchestra’s college ticket program eZseatU, funded by PNC Arts Alive. In addition to the special Philadelphia Orchestra performance featuring Assistant Conductor Cristian Macelaru and Artist-in-Residence Leila Josefowicz, the night’s festivities include a grand welcome from a marching band and area university mascots, a post-concert party with free food and drinks, a chance to meet the musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and live music by a local band. The night is free for full-time college students with student ID; tickets can be reserved at www.philorch.org/college .

eZseatU is made possible with support from PNC Arts Alive, a five-year, $5 million investment from The PNC Foundation that supports visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement.

Penn’s Landing FREE Neighborhood Concert, presented by Wells Fargo
Sunday, October 9, 6:30 PM
The RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd between Market and Walnut Streets
Cristian Macelaru, Conductor
Leila Josefowicz, Violin

Following last summer’s blockbuster Independence Day weekend appearance, the Orchestra returns to the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing 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 “Liebesleid” and “Liebesfreud,” as well as the “Meditation” from Massenet’s Thaïs. The 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.

All Neighborhood Concerts are FREE and open to the public.

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.