(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- The New Jersey Festival Orchestra, led by internationally acclaimed Music Director David Wroe, has unveiled plans for its 2019-2020 season. Audiences can expect a series of dynamic musical celebrations to rival anything in New York City and beyond and an exciting roster of favorite and new guest artists.
Cited by the Star Ledger as “the leading professional freelance symphony orchestra in New Jersey,” NJ Festival Orchestra is known for its adventurous subscription seasons, innovative programming, popular concerts near and far, a rousing New Year’s Eve celebration, as well as education and music therapy programs.
"We are eagerly anticipating our exciting new season,” commented Maestro Wroe. “It’s a series of eclectic concerts that often have an exciting, disparate repertoire centered around a tangible theme.”
In March, for example, two operatic legends come together for the first time as Wagner’s monumental drama Die Walkure (Act 1) meets the tragic pathos of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. A cast of internationally acclaimed guest performers assembled from Maestro Wroe’s extensive contacts in European and American opera houses joins NJFO to present these two magnificent operatic staples - an unlikely couple united by the tragedy and trauma of forbidden love.
The new season also showcases highly anticipated appearances by a series of internationally acclaimed guest performers, including Chinese cellist Jiapeng Nie, tenor Matthew Vickers and internationally acclaimed pianist Andrew Tyson performing Rachmaninoff’s epic piano concerto No. 2.
The season begins dramatically on October 5 at 7:00pm in Westfield with “Invitation to the Waltz,” a program of much loved works by Johan Strauss, Richard Strauss, Tchaikovsky and more. Come hear how these renowned composers, and internationally acclaimed cellist Jiapeng Nie, each handle the three-beat phenomenon.
Audiences are invited to welcome in the Holiday season with some of New Jersey’s most popular holiday traditions. In December, NJFO presents The Three Holiday Tenors, featuring a selection of renowned tenor fare, symphonic pops, and wintertime favorites guaranteed to make the season merry and bright.
The holiday festivities continue on New Year’s Eve, as NJFO’s quintessential celebration promises a superb revue of Broadway classics in glorious symphonic splendor. Come join the festivities as Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Da'von Doane and friends join Maestro David Wroe and Broadway soloists to swing to favorites from America’s Great Songbook.
The 2019-2020 the NJFO season comes to a glorious conclusion with Russian Nights featuring works by Rimsky Korsakov, Rachmaninoff and more. Internationally acclaimed pianist Andrew Tyson joins NJFO to present the thrilling centerpiece of the program: Rachmaninoff’s unassailably epic Concerto No. 2, surely one of the most powerful works in the entire piano repertoire.
Funding for the NJFO season has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Concerts will take place on Saturday evenings in Westfield and Sunday afternoons at Drew University in Madison. NJFO music historian Michael Rosin will conduct a pre-concert lecture before most concerts, offering compelling insights and information about the music and music makers on offer. Lectures are open to all ticket holders, free of charge.
On October 8, NJFO joins internationally renowned Spanish recording artist Raphael at Carnegie Hall for his acclaimed ReSinfonico Tour 2019. Watch for this and other featured performances by NJFO at special events and venues throughout New York and New Jersey.
Commented NJFO Board President Keith S. Hertell, “Our beloved NJ Festival Orchestra has once again created a superb season with new experiences and lots of surprises and we are more committed than ever to serving and delighting our central NJ communities.”
Tickets to NJFO concerts, starting at $30 (students $15), are on sale now. Discounted ticket packages, saving concertgoers up to 20% over regular prices, are also available. Single tickets and “mix and match” packages may be purchased by calling the box office at (908) 232-9400. Avoid all ticket fees and handling charges by purchasing single tickets or discount packages online at njfestivalorchestra.org.
