By Popular Demand, New Philharmonic Presents Three New Year’s Eve Pops Performances Dec. 31
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Guest Tenor John Irvin of Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center Featured
“Our New Year’s Eve concerts have sold out year after year, so this year we’re proud to offer three concerts, guaranteed to give even more Chicagoland music lovers the opportunity to toast “good bye†to the old year, and hail the arrival of the new,†says Muspratt.
The program will start with Josef Strauss’ rousing “Schabernack Polka,†then continue with J. Strauss Jr.’s “Emperor Waltz.† Guest tenor John Irvin will join Muspratt and NP for Rudolf Sieczyński’s “Vienna, City of My Dreams†and will also be featured in Erich Wolfgang Korngold “O Freund, Ich Werde Sie Nicht Wiedersehen,†in these celebratory concerts replete with surprise encores, a New Year’s Eve champagne toast, the traditional “Auld Lang Syne†and more. A complete listing of the program is at the end of this release.
Originally a pianist, John Irvin discovered his passion for singing in 2008 and he went on to earn his Bachelor of Music magna cum laude from Georgia State University (2010) and Professional Certificate from Boston University’s Opera Institute (2012). A member of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Irvin recently appeared as Alfred for two performances of “Die Fledermaus†and appeared as Count Almaviva in Lyric’s family matinee of “The Family Barber.†Other highlights this past year include debuts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (“Beyond the Score†with Stéphane Denève), the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Don Curzio, Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro†with Gustavo Dudamel) and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Beethoven Symphony no. 9 with Sir Andrew Davis). For Lyric Opera’s 2014-15 season, Irvin will perform and cover roles in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,†Strauss’ “Capriccio,†Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena†and Weinberg’s “The Passenger.â€
New Philharmonic is a professional orchestra in residence of the MAC that has inspired classical music enthusiasts in Chicago and the suburbs for three decades. Under the direction of Conductor and Music Director Kirk Muspratt, named a 2006 Chicagoan of the Year by the Chicago Tribune, the group gives innovative treatment to both classic compositions and modern works and strives to make the music accessible to new audiences and youth through a variety of educational efforts.
New Philharmonic is supported in part by the College of DuPage Foundation through its New Philharmonic Fund. Established as a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation and the New Philharmonic Fund, visit.cod.edu/foundation or call 630-942-2462.
New Philharmonic’s 2014-2015 performances are funded in part by a grant by The DuPage Community Foundation’s JCS Fund for Arts and Education and the Illinois Arts Council.
McAninch Arts Center (MAC) is supported in part by the College of DuPage Foundation. Established as a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation, visit cod.edu/foundation or call 630.942.2462.
Programs at the MAC are partially supported through funding from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
- “Schabernack Polka,† Josef Strauss (1827-1870)
- “Emperor Waltz,† J. Strauss Jr. (1825- 1899)
- “Vienna, City of My Dreams,† Rudolf Sieczyński (1879-1952);  featuring Guest Tenor, John Irvin
- Overature to “Pique Dame,†Franz von Suppé (1819-1895)
- “O Freund, Ich Werde Sie Nicht Wiedersehen,“ Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957); featuring Guest Tenor, John Irvin
- Tara’s Theme from “Gone With the Wind,† Max Steiner (1888-1971);  arr. Campbell-Watson (b. 1941-)
- “Band of Brothers,†Michael Arnold Kamen (1948-2003); arr. Roy Phillippe
- Theme from “Cocoon,†James Horner (b. 1953- )
- The Hippopotamus Song, Michael Flanders (1922-1975) & Donald Swann (1923-1994);  featuring Guest Tenor, John Irvin
- Traditional: “Auld Lang Syne,†Audience sing-along; featuring Guest Tenor, John Irvin
- “Raiders of the Lost Ark†March, John Williams (b. 1932- )
- “Magnificent Seven†Suite, Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004)
