The Scene In and Around Boston . . . On Tuesday, May 4 at 8 p.m., Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops open the orchestra's landmark "125th Anniversary Season" with a gala three-part program honoring the distinctive legacies of its most famous conductors: Mr. Lockhart, John Williams, and Arthur Fiedler. The concert, which features guest soloists Broadway sensation Idina Menzel, legendary trumpeter Doc Severinsen, and pianist Michael Chertock, celebrates the orchestra's rich tradition of performing an innovative blend of great music, from beloved classics to cutting-edge contemporary favorites. Symphony Hall will be festively transformed for the evening, with giant balloon arches at the main entrance, a huge "125" on top of the marquee to commemorate the anniversary milestone, accent lighting on the exterior of the building to illuminate Symphony Hall's distinctive architecture and a special red carpet leading from the Massachusetts Avenue sidewalk up the stairway to the main lobby. Horse-drawn carriages will arrive with actors in period dress portraying two of the notables from the very first Pops concert more than a century ago, Isabella Stewart Gardner and Boston Pops Orchestra founder Colonel Henry Lee Higginson. Keith Lockhart and Peter Fiedler, son of conductor Arthur Fiedler, will make a grand entrance from an antique fire truck reminiscent of the legendary maestro's early days with the orchestra. The evening also includes a celebratory pre-concert reception throughout the hall. The concert's opening highlights the extraordinary legacy of Arthur Fiedler (Pops Conductor 1930-79), the Pops' legendary maestro for nearly half a century. One of the most beloved figures in Boston music history, he put the Pops on the map beginning in the 1930s. The program continues under the direction of Keith Lockhart with a series of musical selections that showcase the distinctive contributions of conductor/composer John William (Pops Conductor, 1980-93). Mr. Williams is one of America's most accomplished and successful composers for film, and this section of the concert features the orchestra in some of the special arrangements focuses on the great movie scores he has brought to life for Pops audiences. The inimitable Doc Severinsen, the longtime trumpeter, bandleader, and irreverent sidekick on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson," makes a special appearance. He is one of the very few performers to have collaborated with all three of the evening's tribute conductors. Keith Lockhart (Pops Conductor 1994-present) leads the program's grand finale, which highlights the Pops' present-day accomplishments and provides a lighthearted glimpse into what the future may hold for "America's Orchestra." Multiple Tony Award-winning actress/vocalist Idina Menzel, featured this spring in new episodes of the hit TV show "Glee!," is the soloist for this portion of the program. For tickets and more information, visit www.bostonpops.org or call 617-266-1200. Incidentally, WGBH-TV, Channel 2 presents a star-studded celebration of the Boston Pops this Sunday, April 18, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, May 16, at 8 p.m.; and on Wednesday, June 23, at 8 p.m. Hosted by Craig Ferguson, "America's Orchestra: Celebrating 125 Years of the Boston Pops" tells the orchestra's story, from its beginnings as summertime entertainment for Bostonians to its impressive rise to the national icon and beloved institution it is today. "We hope that the upcoming PBS special reflects this diversity and gives viewers a glimpse into the storied history of this distinctively Boston creation--one of our country's greatest cultural treasures, as vibrant today as it was when it was founded in 1885," said Lockhart.
First Annual "Horsing Around at the Ritz Gala" on May 8 On Saturday, May 8 the BiNA Farm, a philanthropic endeavor of Babak Bina, co-owner of Lala Rokh, BiNA Osteria and Bin 26, will host the first annual "Horsing Around at the Ritz Gala" benefit. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, 10 Avery Street, Boston. A non-profit organization providing Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT), the BiNA Farm offers integrated programs of music, art, gardening and nature to children with cognitive, physical, psychological and developmental disabilities. The organization goes a step beyond similar equine therapy programs by integrating children with and without special needs, allowing them to interact and learn from one another, while creating an inclusive, enriching community of family members, caregivers and friends. The evening's festivities will include: A visit from one of The BiNA Farm's horses (yes, a live horse in the Ritz!); a special collaborative presentation by Boston Pops' Keith Lockhart along with children from The BiNA Farm's program; a skit from comedian Joe Wong, who has tickled the funny bones of President Obama, David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres; dancing and live music, courtesy of SOHO; and exciting live auction items, including a trip to the set of Denis Leary's hit TV show "Rescue Me," Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins packages, and behind-the-scenes packages for Boston Pops and Boston Ballet. For tickets and more information, call 508-479-6232 or visit www.binafarm.org. |
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Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart will lead the "125th Anniversary Season" Gala Celebration. (Photo by Michael Lutch)