Orchestra opens Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts

The Philadelphia Orchestra joins with arts and cultural organizations throughout the city for the inaugural Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), inspired by the Kimmel Center. For three weeks, from April 7 through May 1, 2011, audiences will revel in an array of one-time, only-in-Philadelphia productions by many of the region's top talents featuring music, dance, fashion, fine arts, poetry, cuisine, and more - all generously flavored with the essence of Paris, circa 1910-20.

The Orchestra and Associate Conductor Rossen Milanov are proud to open the Festival with a spectacular collaborative performance of Stravinsky's complete Pulcinella with Pennsylvania Ballet featuring new choreography by Jorma Elo (April 7, 8, 9, 10). Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit and the Orchestra appear later in the Festival with an all-Stravinsky program featuring two rarely-performed works, Apollon musagète and Oedipus Rex (April 28, 29, 30).

The April 7 performance is the Opening Night Gala of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. Visit www.pifa.org for more information about this performance and the Festival.

Tickets are available by calling 215.893.1999 or by visiting www.philorch.org.

Sheherazade comes to life in Family Concert with Enchantment Theatre Company

Rimsky-Korsakov's Sheherazade is brought to life through the magic of music and theater in a Philadelphia Orchestra Family Concert featuring Enchantment Theatre Company (March 26). Using masks, puppets, music, and movement, performers tell the tales of Sheherazade, whose 1,001 stories are told to heal her king and to save his kingdom. Through these fantastic stories, the king experiences adventures both great and small and discovers his true capacity to love.

Tickets are available by calling 215.893.1999 or by visiting www.philorch.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra Family Concerts are funded in part by the Annenberg Foundation, Macy's, and the Zisman Family Foundation.

Volunteer Committees host Perfect Harmony: Festive Fusion of Friends, Music, and Merriment on May 5

The Philadelphia Orchestra Volunteer Committees present their biennial fundraising event, Perfect Harmony: A Festive Fusion of Friends, Music, and Merriment on Friday, May 5, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Perelman Building. Chaired by Betsy Crowell, Esther Schwartz, and Lisa Weber-Yakulis, the evening includes cocktails, buffet supper catered by Stephen Starr Events, musical presentations by members of the Orchestra, and an opportunity to view two exhibits: "Paris Through the Window: Marc Chagall and His Circle" and "The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress."

A special feature of the evening is a silent and live auction with items donated by members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, including one-of-a-kind experiences such as a dinner with Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit at a private home; watching a rehearsal on stage and then joining Music Director Designate Yannick Nézet-Séguin for lunch; a week's stay at the glorious Villa Sassella in Compignano, Lucca, Italy; the opportunity to serve as Honorary Bat Boy/Girl at a 2011 Phillies regular season game, and much more!

For more information, or to receive an invitation, please call 215.893.3152 or visit www.philorch.org/perfectharmony

Five talented young soloists win 2011 Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition

The Philadelphia Orchestra hosted the final auditions of the 2011 Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition on March 15. Eight finalists performed their auditions in Verizon Hall in front of an audience of family, friends, and supporters. These talented young musicians, who represented the children, junior, senior, and vocal divisions, were chosen from more than XX musicians who competed in the preliminary auditions. Each division winner received a cash award and the opportunity to perform as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra during the 2011-12 season.

The 2011 winners are (pictured clockwise from left) oboist Alexander Vvedenskiy (senior division), pianist Ethan Lee (Children's Division), mezzo-soprano J'nai Bridges (vocal division), cellist John Henry-Crawford (senior division), and flutist Niles Watson (Junior Division).

The Philadelphia Orchestra Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition is made possible by a generous endowment gift from the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation.

YouTube Symphony Orchestra video series feature Philadelphia Orchestra musicians

The Philadelphia Orchestra and YouTube Symphony Orchestra (YTSO) teamed up to produce videos for the YTSO's Unsung Heroes and Master Classes onlineseries. For the Unsung Heroes series, Principal Clarinet Ricardo Morales and violinist Amy Oshiro-Morales shared the joy of performing music and the life lessons that music has taught them. Mr. Morales and Ms. Oshiro-Morales join the ranks of musicians like Hilary Hahn and players from the Berlin Philharmonic and Sydney Symphony who have also discussed their "unsung heroes." In preparation for the YTSO's grand finale performance at the Sydney Opera House, Principal Bassoon Daniel Matsukawa conducted a master class on the "Berceuse" from Stravinsky's The Firebird, a piece programmed for the concert. His master class delved into the dark story and complex breathing, phrasing, and dynamics that challenge bassoonists and enamor audiences to this day.

Visit www.youtube.com/symphony to watch either series or the YTSO concert. The videos of Philadelphia Orchestra musicians can also be viewed at www.youtube.com/philorchestra.

Support The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra has brought outstanding musical experiences to the stage, classrooms, the entire Philadelphia region, and the world for more than 110 years. As we work together to address our unique and serious financial challenges, we ask you to join us in partnership to preserve and position Philadelphia's ensemble for the future by making a gift to our Annual Fund (www.philorch.org/donateonline.html).

Please help us continue our legacy of fantastic music-making onstage and throughout our community. Your gift will be honored exclusively to create inspiring performances and programs. Thank you for your support and belief in the power of classical music and in our Fabulous Philadelphians.