Tickets Now on Sale for All 2009-10 Portland Symphony Orchestra 85th Anniversary Concerts

PORTLAND, Maine ’Äì All tickets for Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO)'s upcoming 85th anniversary season concerts are on sale beginning Tuesday, September 1 at noon. Tickets are available through PortTix at www.PortTix.com, by phone at (207) 842-0800 or by visiting PortTix in the lobby of Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street, Monday through Saturday noon to 6:00 PM.

To celebrate the PSO's 85th anniversary, its second season under the artistic leadership of Music Director Robert Moody, the season's programming features PSO commissions and collaborations with local arts and community organizations. Highlights include a season opening concert celebrating "Heroes and the American Dream" in collaboration with Portland Stage Company; the New England premiere of bluegrass virtuoso Chris Thile's Mandolin Concerto (Ad astra per alia porci); the Maine premiere of the Ford Made in America commission Chasing Light’Ķ; PSO Pops! concerts featuring cirque performers and local favorites Motor Booty Affair; and Maestro Moody leading two performances of Mahler's mighty Symphony No. 2, ("Resurrection") to close the season in May.

2009-10 also celebrates the PSO's 30th anniversary of the ever-popular Magic of Christmas beginning December 11. This production of Magic ’Äì led by Maestro Moody for the first time ’Äì will showcase the traditions, story, and true spirit of Christmas with scenes from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, a bigger-than-life adaptation of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol featuring imaginative and fanciful puppetry from Freeport's Figures of Speech Theatre, a music-and-dance portrayal of the Nativity ’Äì even a festive kickline of dancing Santas!

All concerts take place at Portland's Merrill Auditorium, located at 20 Myrtle Street. In addition to single tickets, subscriptions and other ticket packages are currently still available, with savings up to 25% off single ticket prices, plus exclusive benefits. Special pricing is often available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Contact PortTix for details.

For complete season information, including artist biographies and program notes, visit www.portlandsymphony.com.