www.nepaphil.org I 570-270-4444

OUR 2019-2020 SEASONElegance & Emotion

CELEBRATING 48 YEARS

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2 3www.nepaphil.org I 570-270-4444Cover Photo Credit: © Karen Almond

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Warm Greetings!

Nancy Sanderson

I’m happy to report that the 2018-2019 Season of the NEPA Philharmonic was transformative. With new financial practices in place and excellent ticket sales, we were able to address many of our financial challenges. Now in the second year of our five-year strategic plan, we present to you our 2019-2020 Season, which includes exciting Masterworks, Pops, Holiday and Chamber concerts. While it may be smaller than recent seasons, it still offers exciting repertoire and the musical excellence you have all come to expect from the Philharmonic.

Our soloists for this season are no strangers to Northeastern Pennsylvania. Pianist Spencer Myer performed Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto with the orchestra last season. His performance received one of the longest standing ovations I can ever remember! We are excited that he has accepted our invitation to return in October to perform the beloved Schumann Piano Concerto.

In May, Alberto Parrini will perform Tchaikovsky’s elegant Variations on a Rococo Theme. He currently serves as principal cellist of our orchestra and when he isn’t performing in NEPA, he is often performing, touring and recording with the New York Philharmonic. This All-Tchaikovsky concert is not to be missed!

On Valentine’s Day, join us to hear a fantastic musical tribute to Aretha Franklin. This is the very same production that will open Pittsburgh Symphony’s POPS series in October. A special thank you goes to PNC for sponsoring this powerhouse collection of Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits!

Rounding out this season will be the PNC Holiday concerts in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre as well as a Chamber Music Series featuring musicians from our orchestra.

After every concert in this season of “Elegance and Emotion,” Mélisse Brunet, our Interim Music Director, would like to greet you in the lobby. Please take a moment to say hello to this exceptionally talented conductor!

As I have often said, if the Philharmonic is to thrive in Northeastern Pennsylvania, its stewardship must be everyone’s responsibility. Attending concerts, volunteering and donating are ways in which everyone can serve as a steward of the orchestra. Let’s join forces to make this a banner year!

INSPIRED BY THE HUMAN SPIRITMasterworks

Franz Liszt’s soul stirring Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 opens this program up with extraordinary passion. Next on the concert is Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto; one of the most popular and well loved piano concertos in the repertory. The concerto is performed by American pianist Spencer Myer, lauded for “superb playing” and

“poised, alert musicianship” by the Boston Globe, and labeled “definitely a man to watch” by London’s The

Independent. Myers is one of the most respected and sought-after artists on today’s concert stage.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 begins the second half of the program. Mozart himself was pleased with this

symphony, saying “My new “Haffner” Symphony has positively amazed me…it must surely produce a

good effect.” Symphony No. 35 has been achieving great audience responses ever since! And finally, Zoltán

Kodaly’s Dances of Galánta provide a climatic conclusion to the opening concert of our 2019-2020 Season!

Mozart: Symphony No. 35 “Haffner”Kodaly: Dances of Galánta

Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 Schumann: Piano Concerto, Spencer Myer, soloist

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2019 | 8:00PM Kirby Center for the Creative Arts, Wyoming Seminary Kingston

PNC HOLIDAY POPS PERFORMANCESPops

Ring in the Holidays by enjoying the festive sounds of the PNC Holiday Concert featuring the Ballet Theater of Scranton, the Choral Society of Northeastern PA and a special visit from you-know-who! This is a fun, family friendly concert that will get you into the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 | 3:00PM Peoples Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College, Scranton

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019 | 7:00PM F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre

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Photo Credit: Paul Mazza Photography

Spencer Myer, pianist

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2 3 www.nepaphil.org I 570-270-4444Brass Photo Credit: Paul Mazza Photography

ALL PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 7:00 PMChamber Series

PNC POPS, RESPECT: A TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN

Pop sShe fought for civil rights. She fought for women’s rights.

She won eighteen Grammy Awards. She appeared on the Billboard charts 112 times making her the

most charted female artist in history. She was the Queen of Soul.

Featuring 2 female singers from the cast of Hamilton, RESPECT is the story of Aretha Franklin and

the second half of the twentieth century in America. Her music, her activism, her faith, her strength are woven into the fabric of our history. “Respect: A Tribute

to Aretha Franklin” celebrates the singer, the icon, the leader, the woman.

Chain of FoolsFreeway of Love

(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural WomanRespect

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 | 8:00PMF.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre

CELEBRATING TCHAIKOVSKYMasterwor ks

INTERMISSIONTchaikovsky, 5th Symphony

Romeo and Juliet OvertureVariations on a Rococo Theme, Alberto Parrini, soloist

Opening this concert is one of Tchaikovsky’s best-loved works, the Romeo and Juliet Overture. The piece’s famous love theme is perhaps one of the most recognizable melodies in the world.

Alberto Parrini, the Philharmonic’s principal cellist, is the soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. The work’s long lyrical melodies, virtuosic technical passages and grandiose cadenzas are sure to amaze!

Closing the concert is Tchaikovsky’s glorious Symphony No. 5. Hear our orchestra spotlighted in this powerful symphonic work!

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 | 8:00PMPeoples Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College, Scranton

Join our principal oboist Lillian Copeland with pianist Spencer Myer on an exciting program exploring the oboe repertoire from the baroque to the 21st century.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020WVIA Sordoni Theater, Pittston

CHAMBER II - LILLIAN’S OBOE*

Thomas Jeff erson was an accomplished violinist and his wife Martha played guitar and harpsichord. Music was an important part of their

life together at Monticello. The Rosewood Chamber Ensemble, with fl utist Barbara Hopkins and guitarist Judy Handler, will perform pieces from

Jeff erson’s personal collection as well as other music from his era.

THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2020First Presbyterian Church, School St., Clarks Summit

CHAMBER III - MUSIC FROM MONTICELLO*

We end our season with Béla Bartók’s Contrasts, a masterpiece of the chamber music literature, inspired by Hungarian and Romanian folklore, along with works by Brahms and Kodály showcasing NEPP violinist Robyn Quinnett and clarinetist Pascal Archer with pianist Spencer Myer.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020St. Stephens Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre

CHAMBER IV - CONTRASTS*

*Meet the artists at a reception immediately following the performance.

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We open our chamber music series with the bright and bold colors of the trumpet, french horn and trombone featuring NEPP brass players

Micah Holt, Andrea Menousek and Dick Clark.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019Marian Chapel, Marywood University, Scranton

CHAMBER I: A PHILHARMONIC FANFARE

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GUARANTEED SEATINGEnjoy your choice of premium seating forall performances at discounted pricing.

TICKET DISCOUNTSTake advantage of reduced Early Bird subscription prices. Subscribers will also receive a 10% discount on the purchase of additional tickets.

SNEAK PEEKSSneak preview of the upcoming season and opportunities to purchase tickets before the general public.

FLEX TICKETINGExchange your tickets prior to the performance for an alternate hall or another performance.

BRING TWO GUESTSBring two guests to a concert of your choice, compliments of us! Just call the offi ce to make arrangements prior to the performance.

INVITATION TO ATTEND- Subscriber only post-concert reception with Mélisse Brunet - An open rehearsal

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Mélisse Brunet is the Music Director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic for the 2019-2020 season. She is one of the six conductors selected from nearly 150 applicants for the 2018 Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview, chosen on their “experience, talent, leadership potential, and commitment to a career in service to American orchestras” by the League of American Orchestras.

Similarly Mélisse was one of the six women conductors selected over 161 applicants representing 33 countries for the Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera, that took place in November 2017 in Dallas, Texas. She also regularly guest conducts the French professional Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier.

MUSIC DIRECTORMélisse Brunet

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FIND YOUR SEATS FOR THE SEASONTheater Chart

While we have multiple performance venues, the seating levels for the Masterworks Series, PNC Pops Series and Holiday performances are comparable. Please use this theater map to determine your approximate seat location and price levels.

SubscriptionsPICK YOUR CONCERT PACKAGE & SAVE

MEZZANINE

ORCHESTRA A AND CENTER BALCONY

ORCHESTRA BAND SIDE BALCONY

ORCHESTRA C AND REAR BALCONY

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courtesy of ©Karen Almond

courtesy of Paul Mazza Photography

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