Music Director Andrew Constantine and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic today announced the Orchestra’s much-anticipated 2020-2021 Season, its 77th year serving everyone in Fort Wayne and all of Northeast Indiana.
“For the 2020/21 season you’ll be able to enjoy the most amazing array of music with star performers including our own Luke Fitzpatrick and Orion Rapp as well as the legendary pianist, Yefim Bronfman. There are return visits for new friends to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, soprano Karina Gauvin and pianist Stewart Goodyear, as well as a long overdue return from the tremendous violinist, Rachel Barton Pine to play Barber’s glorious violin concerto. As you perhaps know, the world is celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday and there’ll be no shortage of masterpieces by the great man across our different series,” said Constantine.
2020-2021 Season Highlights:
The Paul Yergens and Virginia Yergens Rogers Foundation Masterworks Series
features beloved works of the symphonic repertoire, brand new compositions, world-renowned soloists, and the exceptional artistry of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, with music director Andrew Constantine. The series will also introduce renowned guest conductors Carlos Kalmar and Mei-Ann Chen.
• October 3, 2020 The Rach 2 – With a Season kick-off of musical legends – Mussorgsky, Khachaturian and Rachmaninoff – the Embassy Theatre will be the musical epicenter of Northeast Indiana. Principal flute Luke Fitzpatrick will be the featured soloist for the evening.
• November 14, 2020 Beethoven’s Eroica – The Fort Wayne Philharmonic celebrates the legendary composer’s 250th birthday with an all-Beethoven program that includes his monumental Third Symphony, and the Piano Concerto No. 3 with world-renowned pianist Stewart Goodyear. Part of a Beethoven Festival celebrating the composer’s 250th birthday.
• January 30, 2021 Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon – Taiwanese-American conductor Mei-Ann Chen makes her debut in a cross-cultural program featuring composers An-Lun Huang, Tan Dun, and Dvořák. Tan Dun’s Concerto is drawn from themes from his Oscar-winning film score “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
• March 13, 2021 Stewart Copeland’s World Percussion – A rhythmic new composition by the famed drummer and founder of The Police, featuring an array of Balinese percussion instruments.
• April 10, 2021 The Magic Flute – Semi staged with stunning video imagery, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic presents of one of Mozart’s best-loved operas.
• May 15, 2021 Yefim Bronfman Plays Brahms – Considered one of the greatest pianists of our time, Bronfman’s appearance promises a musical feast for the ears.
The Sweetwater Pops Series brings the very best in popular entertainment to Fort Wayne. Incredible artists, exciting film music, tributes to larger than life icons of the past, and holiday traditions all fit perfectly in this crowd-pleasing series led by associate conductor Caleb Young along with special guests.
• October 31 & November 1, 2020 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ In Concert is the third and most popular installment of J.K. Rowling’s classic saga, projected on a large screen with the score performed live by the Philharmonic, presented by Cineconcerts.
• February 27, 2021 Aretha: A Tribute – A Tribute to the Queen of Soul, this concert features Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy Award nominee Ryan Shaw performing Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits.
• March 20, 2021 Carousel In Concert – A concert presentation of the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical conducted by Andrew Constantine that serves as a dramatic testimony to the power of love.
The Wirco, Inc. Chamber Orchestra Series offers personal, intimate, and engaging concerts for smaller orchestra that focus on a colorful array of classical masterpieces.
• The Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus join forces on October 10, 2020 to perform Beethoven’s beautiful, moving, and inspired Mass in C Major. Part of a Beethoven Festival celebrating the composer’s 250th birthday.
• The ever-popular Messiah by Candlelight returns for two performances on Dec 17 & 18, 2020.
• Sleeping Beauty springs to life in this annual collaboration of the Philharmonic and Fort Wayne Ballet. Tchaikovsky’s classic score and the romantic tale of a magical kiss overcoming evil come to life on March 26, 27 & 28, 2021.
The Brotherhood Mutual Freimann Series offers audiences great chamber music classics, up close and personal. This is highly intimate music making at its best. Wednesday evening performances are performed at the Parkview Physicians Group ArtsLab, the black box theatre located in the heart of the vibrant Downtown Arts Campus. Sunday performances occur at Rhinehart Music Center at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
• October 14 & 18, 2020. The Freimann Quartet opens the series with Beethoven’s moody, musing, and manic 4th String Quartet, proving the composer’s musical genius. Part of a Beethoven Festival celebrating the composer’s 250th birthday.
• January 13 & 17, 2021. Ravel’s only string quartet serves as the centerpiece of a program that also includes Richard Prior’s Call of the Sirens for Flute and Harp.
• March 17 & 21, 2021. Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet along with works by Mozart and Debussy.
• April 14 & 18, 2021. Bax’s Quintet for Oboe & Strings and Brahms’ Quartet No. 1 in C minor.
• All performances feature the Freimann Quartet, comprised of the principal players from the violin, viola and cello sections, along with other prominent musicians from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
The STAR Family Series offers a variety of fun and educational experiences for audiences of all ages at the Rhinehart Music Center on the campus of Purdue University Fort Wayne. These 60-minute performances are a great introduction to classical music for the entire family. Before each performance, audiences are welcome to enjoy free activities in the lobby of the Rhinehart Music Center, including concert-themed crafts and the Philharmonic Friends Instrument Playground.
Family Series concerts will feature music loved by all ages. Selections include music from X-Files, Star Wars, West Side Story, Harry Potter and much more.
• October 25, 2020. Halloween Spooktacular.
• February 20, 2021. Intergalactic Fantasy, a collaboration with Science Central.
• April 25, 2021. Dance Party, a collaboration with Fort Wayne Dance Collective.
The popular Bach in the Barn special concerts will now be available on subscription. Occurring on three Fridays throughout the season – Nov. 6, March 5, and May 7 – this unique series takes place on the beautiful rustic grounds of Joseph Decuis Farm. This intimate listening experience includes candlelit tables with wine and desserts included in the ticket price.
Special Beethoven Subscription Package Available:
In honor of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, a special subscription package has been created linking performances across three different series for true Beethoven aficionados.
The package will include:
• October 10, 2020 Chamber Orchestra Series Beethoven’s Mass in C Major.
• October 14 or 18, 2020 Freimann Series All Beethoven.
• November 14, 2020 Masterworks Series Beethoven’s Eroica
The Philharmonic hosts a myriad of free and other community engagement events all season long, including Regional Holiday Pops and Patriotic Pops, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic/Conductors Guild International Conductor Workshop, Youth Orchestra concerts, Live at Lunch, numerous small ensemble performances throughout the region as well as educational initiatives such as the Youth Orchestras and Club Orchestra. Check the website at fwphil.org or call 260.481.0777 for more information.
