New Philharmonic presents three New Year’s Eve concerts
Pictured: Annie Rosen. Photo by Simon Pauly.
“Good parties create a temporary youthfulness,” said American aphorist Mason Cooley. I would add to it – good classical music concerts create a never-ending youthfulness. Maestro Kirk Muspratt knows that and is happy to use his talent and youthful spirit to create unforgettable concert programs. Under his baton, New Philharmonic brings joy and a festive mood to every audience member, and the culmination of each season is the orchestra’s fabulous celebration of New Year. Three beautiful New Year’s Eve concerts will take place at 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 at McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.
Gorgeous, majestic, fabulous, classy – these are just a few words that can describe New Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concerts. Each year they feature different classical music masterpieces and guest artists, but there is always something that unites all of these concerts – the orchestra’s high professional level, festive and unforgettable music, extremely talented guest artists, and overall joyous mood.
This year, the orchestra’s New Year’s Eve concert program will feature mezzo-soprano Annie Rosen, who is considered to be a Lyric Opera Ryan Center sensation. “She is just a ball of fire,” said Maestro Muspratt in an interview with the director of The MAC, Diana Martinez. “I keep saying to people – as soon as she walks on the stage that will be it. I won’t have to do anything; I can just stand there, because she will just take the concert over. She is a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous talent and I am looking forward to working with her.”
What makes Rosen so special? Her strong, yet sincere voice, excellent breathing technique, unbeatable charisma, and charming artistry make Rosen an extraordinary artist. Her talent shines brightly in every song and every role she performs. Rosen's performances have been acclaimed as “fearless” (Opera News) and “soul-crushingly vulnerable” (Vocal Arts Chicago).
Being a Semifinalist in the 2012 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Rosen holds additional awards from the Gerda Lissner Foundation, the Santa Fe Opera and Central City Opera, and the Connecticut Opera Guild. She is a recipient of the Shoshana Foundation's Richard F. Gold Career Grant and the Louis Sudler Prize in the Performing and Creative Arts. In 2016 Rosen began a two-year apprenticeship at the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center. With each performance, her talent has been shining brighter and brighter, and now audiences in the United States and abroad applaud to the singer’s unique and incomparable mastery.
In New Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concerts, Rosen will be featured in musical masterpieces that are different in nature and style, which will help to demonstrate all the sides of her unbeatable talent. Among them are magnificent and tender “Mon Coeur” from Camille Saint-Saens “Samson and Delilah;” merry and humorous “Doing What Comes Naturally” from Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun;” popular World War II song “The White Cliffs of Dover” by Walter Kent with lyrics by Nat Burton; and Charles Dumont’s fabulous song “Non, je ne regrette rien,” which became famous after Édith Piaf recorded it in 1960. This song is part of the French Foreign Legion heritage and is sung when they are on parade.
Rosen also will lead the audience in a rousing singalong of the traditional “Auld Lang Syne.” This song is considered to be a New Year anthem that is sung all over the world at midnight. The phrase “auld lang syne” translates as “for old times’ sake.” Everyone knows that it’s an old song that talks about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year, but not many people know its history. In 1788, Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns sent the poem 'Auld Lang Syne' to the Scots Musical Museum, indicating that it was an ancient song but he would be the first to record it on paper. This beautiful tune evokes a sense of belonging and fellowship, and New Philharmonic will be happy to accompany Rosen and the audience in performing this song.
Pictured: New Philharmonic New Year's Eve past performance. Photo courtesy of the McAninch Arts Center.
What about the audiences’ favorites? As Maestro Muspratt said in the interview with the director of The MAC, Diana Martinez, the audience will “assassinate” him if he doesn’t do them, so the New Philharmonic’s 2019 New Year’s Eve program will definitely include Johan Strauss Sr.’s festive “Radetzky March,” Strauss II’s gorgeous “Blue Danube Waltz,” op. 314, Hellmesberger’s energetic “Danse diabolique,” patriotic “Quadalcanal March” from "Victory at Sea" by Richard Rodgers, John William’s touching “Luke and Leia,” and a few special surprises.
Ring in the New Year with New Philharmonic and Maestro Muspratt and enjoy timeless waltzes, arias, and light classical and movie music! Remember what happened in 2019, cherish the pleasant moments, learn from your mistakes, and head forward towards a new beautiful year full of joy, laughter, wisdom, and happiness! New Philharmonic and Maestro Muspratt will be happy to help you have a nice and unforgettable start of 2020!
For tickets, please visit https://www.atthemac.org/events/np-new-years-eve/ or call 630-942-4000. Tickets are $67. A limited number of Gold Circle tickets are available. The Gold Circle ticket price is $77 and includes a glass of bubbly and party favors. The McAninch Arts Center is located at 425 Fawell Blvd., on the campus of College of DuPage. All three New Year’s Eve concerts will be followed by a “Cookies with Kirk” reception.
Natalia Dagenhart
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