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Posted: |
Jul 19, 2014 - 8:06 PM
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By: |
RonBurbella
(Member)
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I'd seen word of this concert done in other countries. I did like the score when I heard it back in 2000, but 14 years has passed, so I had minor misgivings. The outdoor event at The Mann Center in Philadelphia with the Philadelphia Orchestra playing the score (with female soloist and Chorale) live-to-film had me undecided as to how enthusiastic to be about the event. It was a near-sellout. The place was packed. And the audience was enthusiastic. It was my first time at The Mann Center. Being a last-minute (5:00 PM) decision to attend (8:00 PM start time), I could not buy tickets online. I managed to arrive at 7:45 PM and parking was easy. I went to the ticket booth and was able to get an orphan single center-orchestra Section A ticket for $35.00 (quite reasonable). Okay, the lights dimmed......
Relax...it's worth attending and is very well done.
The orchestra does play the score fairly loudly. The film accommodates that dialogue-obscuring necessity by including subtitles (just peachy for older folks like me). Justin Freer does a fine conducting job with zest and vigor. He seems to have made a major international career out of this event:
http://justinfreermusic.com/performances/
There is an intermission.
At the end, I was thoroughly won over. Bravo, Mr. Freer! Most entertaining!
In the USA, this event has already been done on July 12th in Pittsburgh and will be done on:
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2..............St Louis (3 performances) (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra)
July 2015........................Chicago (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
Starting with a December 2014 world premiere in London for THE GODFATHER live-to-film, he'll be busy touring with that score for a while. It comes to New York Feb. 6-7, 2015, and I hope to be there.
Should he read FSM Message Board, I have one suggestion to Mr. Freer:
I don't know how busy or involved you are after these concerts, but there were about 15 concert attendees (including myself) who stayed by the backstage door after the concert, hoping to get your autograph and/or a photo with you and tell you how much they enjoyed the concert. Park Security didn't let us stay too long before they had to politely ask us to leave so they could close the access gates to the area. Because it was a last-minute at-the-door ticket purchase, I did not have the opportunity to perhaps purchase a higher-priced ticket that would have included complimentary backstage access to you (if such an entity existed). Don't forget us fans "out there!" Bravo again!
Ron Burbella
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Hi Ron,
Apologies I wasn't available after the concert in Philly on Friday. The backstage guys were instructed to let me and Clara (the soloist) know should anyone be waiting for a meet and greet. We weren't told anything so we continued with load-out after the show.
Thanks for coming to the concert and I do hope to see you at another one. Send me an email before The Godfather in NY should you attend (you can find it on the page linked below my sig), I'll make it up to you and have you backstage for a chat.
Best,
Justin
http://www.gladiatorlive.com/
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Excellent news Ron and Justin!
I wanted to fly to Philadelphia for that, but then I was super pleased to see it would be in Toronto in December, so I booked my ticket a month ago. Even more excited now!
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Excellent news Ron and Justin!
I wanted to fly to Philadelphia for that, but then I was super pleased to see it would be in Toronto in December, so I booked my ticket a month ago. Even more excited now!
Socks? Where have you been? Still in the capital area?
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