New Philharmonic presents an elegant way to say ‘goodbye 2017’ and ‘hello 2018’

“The way you spend New Year's Eve is the way you will spend the rest of the year,” say people in Russia. Subconsciously, many of us try to have an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with the hope that our joy and happiness will last the entire year and our problems will stay in the past. It has become an annual tradition for the New Philharmonic Orchestra to help people get in a happy, sparkly and merry mood on New Year’s Eve with the help of music. The orchestra invites everyone to its three New Year’s Eve concerts that will take place on Wednesday, December 31 at 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

“Our New Year’s Eve concerts are a must-see for many of our regular subscribers, and a special treat for Chicago orchestral music lovers from throughout the greater Chicagoland area. We’re especially thrilled this year to have the incredible talents of guest baritone Corey Crider, and an encore performance by organist John Sherer. Join us now in what promises to be an extraordinary way to say ‘goodbye 2017’ and ‘hello 2018’ in style,” said Maestro Kirk Muspratt.

Why are these annual New Year’s Eve concerts presented by the New Philharmonic Orchestra so popular? They get sold out year after year, which proves that this annual tradition is cherished by the audience and is greatly anticipated. The New Philharmonic Orchestra, which is the only professional orchestra based in DuPage County, has created its own unique style over the years. Once you enter the concert hall and hear these musicians play, you will understand what I am talking about. Under the baton of Maestro Muspratt, even familiar compositions sound more elegant and unique, which certainly attracts the audience. Another factor that contributes to the orchestra’s popularity is its carefully chosen repertoire.

This time, the repertoire will again please every musical taste of each audience member. It will demonstrate a bright spectrum of musical styles and underline the talents and abilities of the orchestra players. The program will feature classical and pop works that will be complemented by a celebratory champagne toast and special surprises. What can be better than that? Only the incredible invited guests.

As Maestro Muspratt mentioned in his interview, the New Philharmonic is delighted to have one of the featured soloists from the Lyric Opera Ryan Center for Young Artists, alumni baritone Corey Crider. His fans have previously seen Crider in the lead role of the New Philharmonic’s 2011 production of “Gianni Schicci” and as Scarpia in the 2014 concert rendition of “Tosca.” Crider will also perform the role of Giorgio Germont in the New Philharmonic Orchestra’s production of “La Traviata” in January 2018.

Being a two-time national semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a finalist in Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers, this critically acclaimed baritone will be happy to please the audience with his rich timbre and artistic presentation during these unforgettable New Year’s Eve concerts. Crider will join New Philharmonic Orchestra for “La pietade in suo favore” aria from an opera called “Lucia di Lammermoor”, which was written in 1835 by talented Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. The audience will have a chance to experience not just the energy and elegant style of this aria, but also the energy and the elegance of Crider’s presentation of it.

He will demonstrate the other side of his talent performing a moving song called “Come Home” from “Allegro” by Rodgers and Hammerstein and a popular song called “In the Ghetto” written by country music singer, songwriter, and actor Mac Davis. After that touching presentation, Crider will lead the audience in a rousing rendition of everyone’s favorite New Year’s tune, “Auld Lang Syne.” This traditional New Year’s song originated in Scotland and symbolizes love and friendship.

The program will also include sparkling orchestral performances of flirty, elegant and playful polkas written by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, popular for his lively dance music. His Jokey Polka and Tik-Tak Polka will make the audience feel just the right way on this New Year’s Eve. These beautiful compositions will be followed by romantic tones from “The Merry Widow”, an operetta written by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár, and by confident rhythms of Polonaise, Op. 40 no. 1 in A major written by famous Polish composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin. The orchestra will also perform Paul McCartney’s popular theme to “Live and Let Die,” the main theme song of the 1973 James Bond film.

Another honorable guest that will join the New Philharmonic Orchestra during its New Year’s Eve concerts is John Sherer, organist and director of music for the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Hailed by critics as ‘a terrific musician’, Sherer is popular for his “virtuoso technique and his sensitive musical sense to serve the requirements of the music.” This highly acclaimed organist is well-known in the United States and England. He will demonstrate his talent performing Symphony No. 3: “Organ Symphony” by Camille Saint-Saëns that he already has presented in April 2017 in his performance with New Philharmonic Orchestra. This orchestral symphony, with two sections out of four using the pipe organ, will bring to the concert hall waves of elegance, beauty and peace.

If you don’t want to miss this great experience, let Maestro Muspratt and the New Philharmonic Orchestra make your New Year’s Eve unforgettable. The beautiful sounds of music born by Maestro Muspratt’s elegant moves will do the magic – your New Year will be full of joy, happiness and success.

For tickets, please call 630-942-4000 or visit http://www.atthemac.org/. Tickets are $65 adult; $63 senior/youth. A limited number of $10 student tickets are available with valid student ID.

Natalia Dagenhart

Photo: Courtesy of the McAninch Arts Center