New Philharmonic Orchestra presents “The Best of Broadway”
“Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, 'till you find your dream. A dream that will need all the love you can give, every day of your life for as long as you live,” these are the words from The Sound of Music, the last musical written together by Rodgers and Hammerstein. New Philharmonic Orchestra, the only professional orchestra based in DuPage County, reflects on these words by bringing a beautiful world of musical dreams into our reality right here, on the grounds of the College of DuPage. It is happy to announce its new performance called “The Best of Broadway” that will take place at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 22 at the spectacular Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.
This great event will include Broadway favorites by the legendary team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and by a famous English composer and impresario of musical theatre Andrew Lloyd Webber. The audience will have a chance to swing on the waves of iconic songs from well-loved musicals such as Oklahoma, The King and I, Evita, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Sunset Boulevard and many more. Beauty and charm, rhythm and touching melodies are waiting for those who will choose to spend that cold October weekend with the New Philharmonic Orchestra and its guest artists.
The New Philharmonic was founded in 1977, and since then it has been the MAC’s own professional orchestra. At that time it consisted of only twenty four carefully auditioned musicians who worked hard on polishing their skills and talent and turning this musical organization into one of the best orchestras in the area. Today, the New Philharmonic Orchestra numbers approximately sixty players and performs for audiences of one thousand five hundred people per engagement in the beautiful McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Under the direction of music director and conductor Kirk Muspratt, the New Philharmonic Orchestra has been named the recipient of the 2017 Illinois Council of Orchestras’ “Professional Orchestra of the Year” Award. This is the orchestra’s second award of this kind.
Maestro Muspratt, a native Canadian conductor and music director with wide international experience and recognition, started serving as music director and conductor of the New Philharmonic in July 2004. The same year, he also became artistic director and music director of DuPage Opera Theatre. Being the recipient of numerous awards, this highly-praised and extremely talented musician and conductor was recently named a “Chicagoan of the Year” by music critic John von Rhein and the writing staff of the Chicago Tribune.
Certainly, such an experienced professional chooses the best and the most deserving guest artists to perform with the New Philharmonic. Maestro Muspratt carefully arranged this concert program and is happy that vocalists with famous names and with great talent and reputation will join him and the New Philharmonic in “The Best of Broadway”.
Among them will be lyric coloratura soprano Alisa Jordheim who is famous for her compelling and vocally assured performances in opera, oratorio, musical theatre, both early and new music, and recital. She is the recipient of a 2016 Sullivan Foundation Award and 2015 Sullivan Foundation Career Development Grant.
Tenor Jesse Donner, who is what’s called a heldentenor, or heroic tenor, is known for his rich and dramatic voice. Donner is the recipient of the 2015 Men's Voice Fellowship from the Luminarts Cultural Foundation, the 2014 George Shirley Award for Opera Performance, a special encouragement award from the 2014 Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Auditions, and first place in the 2012 Michigan Friends of Opera Competition.
Mezzo-soprano Kate Tombaugh is known for her beautiful and solid voice and a great singing technique. Twice she placed third in the Chicago Regional MONC Auditions, hosted by NYC’s Metropolitan Opera. She also performed her Carnegie Hall debut upon winning the Barry Alexander International Vocal Competition. Ms. Tombaugh won the Harold Haugh Light Opera Vocal Competition, placed second in the Nicholas Z. Loren Vocal Competition, hosted by the Holland Chorale, and was awarded the “Grace Keagy Award” by NYC-based Kurt Weill Foundation in their annual Lotte Lenya Foundation.
Baritone Thomas Meglioranza was called “one of America's finest young baritones” by The New Yorker. Some of his career highlights include winning in the Walter W. Naumburg, Concert Artists Guild, Franz Schubert/Music of Modernity, and Joy In Singing competitions. Mr. Meglioranza has been an oratorio and pops soloist with many of America's leading orchestras.
Needless to say, Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus will play a great role in “The Best of Broadway” performance. Established in 1987, this beautiful chorus has performed with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra in a great number of concert programs. It is known for its versatility and vocal flexibility, which allows these singers perform a wide range of musical material. Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus will help to make “The Best of Broadway” performance unforgettable.
Don’t miss an opportunity to catch the wave of passion, energy and excitement presented by this unique orchestra and its talented guest artists! For tickets, please call 630-942-4000 or go to http://www.atthemac.org/events/best-broadway-rodgers-hammerstein-andrew-lloyd-webber/
Natalia Dagenhart
What: “The Best of Broadway”
When: at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 22
Where: McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage
425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137