Academy of Music Welcomes Sting with the Philadelphia Orchestra Following a Surge of Classical Acclaim

MUSIC WORLDS COLLIDE TO EMBRACE HIS LATEST ALBUM

Sting to headline anniversary concert, performing a collection of greatest hits from the Police and his solo career

Tenor Sensation Juan Diego Flˆ„rez to perform classical masterpieces under the baton of Rafael Frˆºhbeck de Burgos

Anniversary Ball follows at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue


Photo Credit: © Tony Molina

Philadelphia, December 28, 2009 ’Äî Academy of Music officials are honored to soon present world-renowned singer/composer Sting in an extraordinary classical setting, as his diverse audience embraces the classical influences of his youth with his newly certified Gold album, If on a Winter's Night...

As the headline attraction of the spectacular Academy of Music 153rd Anniversary Concert on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in performance with The Philadelphia Orchestra and his own quartet of musicians conducted by David Hartley, Sting will perform in Philadelphia with an abundance of fresh critical and popular acclaim. Watching his album become a classical crossover sensation since debuting at #1 on Billboard's Classical and Seasonal charts at the start of the holiday season, the Academy is especially proud to welcome Sting with such comfortable surroundings unique to the intermingling genres that have defined his remarkable career for nearly four decades.

’ÄùWe are especially thrilled to be hosting Sting for the annual Concert and Ball,’Äù said Academy of Music President Joanna McNeil Lewis. ’ÄúThe Academy has a history filled with performers representing an impressive and diverse array of music. Sting is the epitome of that representation as his talent spans across many genres, and he continues to explore new possibilities. Now the public will have an opportunity to see him perform with our Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the premier orchestras in the world.’Äù

The first half of the program will showcase Rafael Frˆºhbeck de Burgos, chief conductor and artistic director of the Dresden Philharmonic, leading The Philadelphia Orchestra in a program of masterpieces featuring guest tenor Juan Diego Flˆ„rez, a thrilling performer famous for his high C's. In 2008, Flˆ„rez became the first soloist to perform an encore at the Metropolitan Opera since Luciano Pavarotti in 1994. In February, Flˆ„rez will reprise his headline-grabbing Metropolitan Opera performance as Tonio in La Fille du Rˆ©giment.

Sting will be backed by the Orchestra and a versatile quartet comprised of Dominic Miller on guitar, David Sancious on piano, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, and Christian McBride on bass, performing notable songs from the Police repertoire and his solo career, in original orchestrations.

Sting first became interested in classical music while it permeated his home as a child and has always carried that music with him throughout his enduring career.

’ÄùI grew up listening to classical music, and remember being under the piano while my mother played Beethoven sonatas in our house,’Äù says Sting. ’ÄúI always strive to challenge myself, and music allows me to constantly learn new things.’Äù

The gala champagne dinner and ball at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue hotel follows the concert. Eight dance orchestras will be located throughout the facility. The gala is being chaired by Mrs. Fred L. Hudson III and Mr. Joseph A. Frick. For gala information, call the Academy of Music Restoration Fund Office at 215.893.1940.

This concert and ball are sponsored by CIGNA, Joe and Amy Frick, Ambassador David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo, Independence Blue Cross, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, PNC, and Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company.

For complete information on the artists and this event, please access the pdf document here.

ACADEMY OF MUSIC 153rd ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
January 30, 2010, at 7:30 PM - Saturday evening - Academy of Music

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Rafael Frˆºhbeck de Burgos, conductor
Juan Diego Flˆ„rez, tenor

With special guest Sting
David Hartley, conductor
Dominic Miller, guitar
David Sancious, piano
Christian McBride, bass
Vinnie Colaiuta, drums

Concert Program includes:
Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
Donizetti: "Ah! mes amis," from The Daughter of the Regiment
Donizetti: "Una furtive lagrima," from The Elixir of Love
Gimˆ©nez: Intermezzo, from The Wedding of Luis Alonso

Sting: Sting with The Philadelphia Orchestra and his band, performing well-known songs from both the Police and his solo repertoire

This concert will be performed without an intermission.
This concert and ball are sponsored by CIGNA, Joe and Amy Frick, Ambassador David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo, Independence Blue Cross, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, PNC, and Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company.
Members of The Philadelphia Orchestra are graciously donating their services for this concert in support of the Musicians' Pension Fund.

Gala tickets are available. For information, please call the Academy of Music Restoration Fund Office at 215.893.1940.

Concert-only tickets are available in the Academy of Music's Amphitheatre for $200. Please call 215.893.1999 or visit www.philorch.org/academyofmusic.

Sting and Trudie Styler star in Twin Spirits

WNYC’Äôs The Greene Space, Classical 105.9 WQXR, Opus Arte and Music Unites

Welcome
Sting and Trudie Styler
for an Exclusive Presentation of the
New York Premiere Screening of
Twin Spirits

at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space
Thursday, December 3rd 6:30 pm

The poignant and tragic love story of Robert and Clara Schumann told in words and music will be webcast live on WNYC.org, followed by audio stream of conversation with Sting and Trudie hosted by WQXR's Elliott Forrest

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Music Unites Youth Choir and the Royal Opera House Education Programs

New York, NY ’Äì On Thursday, December 3rd, WNYC’Äôs The Greene Space and Classical 105.9 WQXR together with Music Unites will host the New York premiere of Twin Spirits, a poetic meditation on the passionate relationship between composer Robert and wife Clara Schumann. Following the film, WQXR host Elliott Forrest will convene a conversation with the film’Äôs leading couple, Sting and Trudie Styler.

In addition to the live studio audience, listeners around the world will be able to watch the film online through a live video stream at www.wnyc.org/thegreenespace and www.wqxr.org beginning at 6:30pm, followed by an audio stream of the post-film discussion.

The evening is being held as a benefit for the New York-based music education charity, Music Unites, and the Royal Opera House Education programs.

Released this fall on DVD and Blu-Ray disc on Opus Arte, Twin Spirits tells the story of the passionate romance and subsequent marriage between composer Robert Schumann and pianist and composer Clara Wieck. Twin Spirits brings together nine diverse performers of the highest caliber: Sting joins his wife, actress, producer and philanthropist Trudie Styler to read from the letters between Robert and Clara. Their story, narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi, is illustrated and interwoven with music composed by Robert ’Äì whose spirit is embodied by pianist Iain Burnside, baritone Simon Keenlyside and violinist Sergej Krylov ’Äì and by Clara, who is evoked by pianist Natasha Paremski, soprano Rebecca Evans, and cellist Natalie Clein. This ’Äúbeautifully constructed’Äù production (BBC Music Magazine), a subtle and moving fusion of recital and drama, was devised by the stage director and writer John Caird.

Love began to blossom between Robert Schumann (1810-56) and Clara Wieck (1819-90) when she was a teenager and he was the student of her father, Friedrich Wieck, who made every effort to impede the relationship. She was one of the 19th century’Äôs greatest pianists and herself a composer of note. After a legal battle with her father the couple finally married in 1840. In the 1850s their happiness became compromised by Robert’Äôs increasing mental instability, which resulted in a suicide attempt in 1854; he died in an asylum in 1856. Clara, who lived for another 40 years, devoted her considerable energies to propagating her husband’Äôs music, which is at its greatest in his intimate works for piano, voice and chamber ensemble.

Twin Spirits was recorded before a small audience in a studio space at London’Äôs Royal Opera House shortly before Christmas 2007. All the artists involved donated their talent and time so that everyone buying a copy will be supporting the important work of the Royal Opera House Education Program which provides opportunities for some 90,000 people annually to engage with opera, music and dance.

The New York-based charity Music Unites shares the goals of the Royal Opera House Education Program and was therefore an ideal American partner organization for this event. Music Unites aims to heighten the appreciation of music across all genres, raise awareness for established musicians and emerging talent, support music education programs and bring music into the lives of people in under-served communities. Music Unites hopes to inspire and encourage musicians to contribute to the vitality and wealth of musical expression, which enriches the cultural life of any community.

Proceeds from the Twin Spirits screening will benefit the Music Unites Youth Choir, bringing together public high school students from across the five boroughs in an effort to create a diverse performance ensemble. Participants will study and perform compositions in all musical styles including classical, musical theater, R&B and gospel and have the opportunity to perform at Music Unites events and collaborate and be mentored by established Music Unites artists including Lang Lang, Blue October, Tamarama, Chester French, Peter Bjorn & John, John Forte, Howie Day, Mark Ronson and Daniel Merriweather. Music Unites will also be creating opportunities for students to interact with music industry professionals, giving them access to well-known cultural venues for practice and performances through a special partnership with the Young Audiences of New York.

The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space is WNYC’Äôs new multi-platform broadcast studio and performance venue. A new destination for artists and audiences, The Greene Space presents live performances, signature WNYC radio shows and video webcasts, and special programming from WQXR ’Äî with concerts, audio theatre, political and cultural discussions, film, visual arts, public radio events and more.

For more information about the Twin Spirits project, Robert and Clara Schumann and the Royal Opera House Education Program visit www.twin-spirits.com. Visit www.musicunites.org, to learn more about the mission of Music Unites.

Twin Spirits Screening with Special Guests Sting and Trudie Styler
Hosted by WNYC, WQXR, Music Unites and Opus Arte
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 6:30 pm
The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space
44 Charlton Street, New York
LIVE webcast of Twin Spirits on WNYC.org/thegreenespace and WQXR.org
Audio stream of Interview with Sting and Trudie Styler hosted by Elliott Forrest to follow screening at 8:30 pm

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WNYC Radio is New York's premier public radio franchise, comprising WNYC FM, WNYC AM, and WQXR, as well as www.wnyc.org and www.wqxr.org. As America's most listened-to AM/FM public radio stations, reaching more than one million listeners every week, WNYC extends New York City's cultural riches to the entire country on-air and online, and presents the best national offerings from networks National Public Radio, Public Radio International, American Public Media, and the British Broadcasting Company. WNYC 93.9 FM broadcasts a wide range of daily news, talk, cultural and classical music programming, while WNYC AM 820 maintains a stronger focus on breaking news and international news reporting. Classical 105.9 WQXR is New York City’Äôs sole classical music station, which presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, among other New York City venues, immersing listeners in the city’Äôs rich musical life. In addition to its audio content, WNYC produces content for live, radio and web audiences from The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, the station’Äôs street-level multipurpose, multiplatform broadcast studio and performance space. For more information about WNYC, visit www.wnyc.org.