Published: July 11, 2008 10:07 am            

MUSIC: BPO's Summerfest hits Artpark

BY ANTHONY CUSTODE JR.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra kicks off its annual, Summerfest on Saturday at Artpark, a series that will see 10 performances come to the Lewiston venue.

BPO Associate Executive Director Steve Baker is excited about the lineup and expects to draw a big crowd to the shows.

“We want to emphasize that (Artpark is) only 20 minutes from downtown Buffalo, so we expect an audience from all over,” Baker said.

Such an audience includes younger spectators. Baker hopes the Summerfest shows can lure that demographic.

“Our concerts are meant for families, so we are trying to become more family-friendly by admitting children 18 years and under for free on the Sunday concerts with the price of an adult ticket,” Baker said.

Saturday’s show will feature George Gershwin classics performed by soloists Alison Buchanan and Leonard Rowe and the New Beginnings Choral Ensemble, as well as pianist Kevin Cole. The Gershwin performances always have a great turnout, Baker said.

Sunday’s show will offer something new to Artpark this year, music by John Philip Sousa. The all-American show will include Sousa’s greatest patriotic marching pieces.

The July 19 show will likely be a show to remember, and not only because it features the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Leonard Bernstein. Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No. 4” will be performed by a “wunderkind.”

“What’s interesting about (that) is we’re featuring this young 14-year-old, Caroline Goulding. She should be great,” Baker said.

According to Baker, the environment at Summerfest is informal. Also, rain will not be an obstacle since the mainstage theater is covered.

Tickets for the Summerfest concerts range from $15 to $48. Summerfest flex passes are available that are valid for all concerts.

Other concerts include: Native American Celebration on July 20, Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” on July 25, Tchaikovsky Spectacular on July 26, Cirque Capriccio on July 27, The Tango Returns on Aug. 1, An Evening With Neglia Ballet on Aug. 2 and A Salute To John Williams on Aug. 3.

Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m., while Sunday shows begin at 3 p.m. Visit artpark.net or bpo.org for more information.

        

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