New Philharmonic, the professional orchestra in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), rings out 2021 to make way for the new with New Year’s Eve concerts at 1:30, 5 and 8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 31. Bass-Baritone Ted Allen Pickell, featured in New Philharmonic’s 2017 sold out production of “The Mikado” as the Mikado, joins Maestro Muspratt and New Philharmonic for a delightful mix of waltzes, polkas, arias, light classical, pops and secret surprises. Streaming tickets are also available to view the 1:30 p.m. Dec. 31 performance live; then on demand Jan. 1-2. These concerts are sponsored by STG Divorce Law.
The orchestral works in the program will include “Stürmisch in Lieb‘ und Tanz” (Tempestuous in Love and Dance) polka schnell, Op. 393 by Johann Strauss (1825–1899) and his “Furioso-Polka” (quasi Galopp), Op. 260; Overture to "The Beautiful Galathea” by Franz von Suppé (1819-1895); selections from “Semiramide Overture,” the final Italian opera by Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868),” “The Mission Suite” by Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) and "Star Trek" Medley featuring composition talents of Michael Giacchino (b. 1967), Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2004), Leonard Rosenman (1924-2008) and Cliff Eidelman (b. 1964); and the "Captain America March” by Alan Silvestri (b. 1950).
Pickell will be showcased in “Ja vas lyublyu ” from the opera “Pique Dame” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893); “If I Were a Rich Man” by Sheldon Harnick (b. 1924) and Jerry Bock (1928-2010) from “Fiddler on the Roof;” “Bella note” by Sonny Burke (1914-1980) and Peggy Lee (1920-2002) from Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp;” a special rendition of the theme song to the classic TV oater “Rawhide” by Dimitri Tiomkin (1894-1979) and the traditional “Auld lang syne.”
Pickell has been hailed for his “powerful voice” (CASA Magazine) and “tremendous” singing (San Diego Reader). Performance credits include Opera Iowa, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Point Loma Opera Theatre, San Diego Opera and University of the Pacific Opera Theatre. Pickell has also performed as a soloist in the Margo Garrett Master Class at Carnegie Hall, as part of Marilyn Horne's “The Song Continues.” Pickell’s honors include 2019 winner of the Musical Merit Foundation Award, first-place winner of the 2019 Opera NEO Vocal Competition, a San Diego District winner and the Audience Choice Award winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, an award winner in the Loren L. Zachary competition, a semi-finalist in the George London Foundation competition and the winner of the "Most Promising Singer" award from the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus vocal competition. He was a 2014 Ryan Opera Center finalist, the winner of the Anne Ferraro Stone Memorial Award from the Bel Canto Foundation, the Musical Merit Foundation Award winner, and the recipient of scholarships for excellence in vocal performance from Northwestern University and the University of the Pacific.
New Philharmonic, the only professional orchestra based in DuPage County, Ill., has inspired classical music enthusiasts in Chicago and the suburbs for more than four decades. It continues to thrive with the goal to give innovative treatment to both classic compositions and modern works while striving to make the music accessible to new audiences and youth through a variety of educational efforts. Today, under the direction of Kirk Muspratt, named 2018 Conductor of the Year (Professional Orchestra) by Illinois Council of Orchestras, New Philharmonic consists of more than 60 professional musicians and typically performs more than a dozen concerts a year, reaching more than 7,500 from the greater Chicago area annually. New Philharmonic was recently honored with the Illinois Council of Orchestras’ 2020 ICO Award in the category Programming of the Year.
Tickets:
New Philharmonic: New Year’s Eve Concerts come to The McAninch Arts Center located at 425 Fawell Blvd., on the campus of College of DuPage 1:30, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $67-$77.
The MAC is happy to also offer streaming tickets for New Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Concert. A streaming ticket offers a one-time access for a household to view the 1:30 p.m. Dec. 31 performance live; or on demand 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2. Streaming tickets for New Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Concert are $67.
For tickets or more information, visit www.AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000. The Box Office is open Tuesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to performance.
Sharing the Spirit of the Season
The MAC Giving Tree is accepting food donations for the COD Fuel Pantry and books, candles, board games, socks/slippers and more for Metropolitan Family Services DuPage. Visit www.AtTheMAC.org for details.
MAC COVID-19 Protocols
McAninch Arts Center values the safety and health of the audience, staff and artists, and is following the CDC, State and Local health department safety guidelines.
Policies include:
• Masks that cover both the nose and mouth are required for everyone over the age of 2.
• Tickets are scanned touchless upon arrival.
• Digital programs are available.
• Hand-sanitizing stations are available at entrances.
If a patron is not feeling well, has a fever, has been exposed to anyone symptomatic for COVID-19, or has recently been tested and waiting results, they are requested to postpone their visit for another day and contact the Box Office to reschedule or request a refund.
About the MAC
The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (the 780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; the 186-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and the versatile black box Studio Theatre), the outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, the Cleve Carney Art Gallery and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season.
The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. Visit www.AtTheMAC.org or www.facebook.com/AtTheMAC for more information.
Support for New Philharmonic is provided in part by the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation; STG Divorce Law; Bjarne R. Ullsvik; Brookdale-Glen Ellyn; the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; WDCB 90.9 FM and the College of DuPage Foundation.
Established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation, visit www.foundation.cod.edu or call 630.942.2462.
Programs at the MAC are partially supported through a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.