The Northwest Indiana Symphony will present “Rick Steve’s Europe: A Symphonic Journey” at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Friday, September 18. Doors open at 7 p.m.
The orchestra will perform a selection of stirring 19th-century anthems by Romantic-era composers. The first nine pieces each feature a different nationality, while the finale, Beethoven's “Ode to Joy” (Europe's official anthem), pays homage to the continent's motto of “United in Diversity.” A surprise encore then celebrates a happy cultural homecoming back in the USA. And to help make the concert an unforgettable journey, each piece is accompanied by beautiful and evocative video images from the public television series Rick Steves’ Europe.
The program includes:
USA - Ward – America the Beautiful
Austria - Strauss II – Emperor Waltz, Op. 437
Germany - Richard Wagner – "Prelude to Act III" from Lohengrin
Czech Republic - Smetana – "Die Moldau" from Má vlast
Britain - Elgar – Pomp and Circumstance, March No. 1 in D major, Op. 39 No. 1
Intermission
Spain - Rimsky-Korsakov – Capriccio Espagnole, Op. 34 mvts. 4-5 (to illustrate “Exoticism”)
Italy - Verdi – Nabucco: Overture
Norway - Grieg – "Morning Mood" from Peer Gynt, Op. 23
France - Saint-Saëns – "March militaire française" from Suite algérienne, Op. 60
European Finale - Beethoven – "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125
Encore - Sousa – The Stars and Stripes Forever
The Northwest Indiana Symphony, entering its 85th season, is comprised of 75 rostered professional musicians under the leadership of Music Director and Conductor, Kirk Muspratt.
The Symphony plays a full season of subscription concerts, as well as a free summer concert series, the South Shore Summer Music Festival, in area communities. Additionally, a number of educational outreach initiatives, designed to allow interaction and personal involvement by students are performed for area schools which include “hands-on” opportunities to play different musical instruments and education concerts. There is also a Young People’s competition where children of all ages get the chance to play on stage during the concert season.
The Northwest Indiana Symphony began in Gary, Indiana on December 7, 1941. As the nation pulled together, a group of individuals, without hesitation or prompts, burst into the Star-Spangled Banner and played to a grieving audience recovering from the events of the day. From their humble beginnings, the Northwest Indiana Symphony has become a cultural asset that serves as a unifying force for Northwest Indiana communities. The Symphony is dedicated to providing quality orchestral programming that promotes opportunities for enjoyment and expands interest in and understanding of diverse music.
Tickets for Northwest Indiana Symphony’s “Rick Steve’s Europe: A Symphonic Journey” start at $71.20. This show is all reserved seating. Ages 21 and up. The Hard Rock Live box office is open every Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on show days starting at 12 p.m. Visit Ticketmaster at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/050064E1EEEEEF6C
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary, IN, directly adjacent to the I-80/94 Burr Street Interchange. For more information, call 219-228-2383 or visit www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
About Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana:
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s $300 Million casino and entertainment destination opened to the public on May 14, 2021. Hard Rock’s premier 200,000-square foot entertainment complex features over 1800 slots and 80 table games totaling more than 2,100 gaming positions. In addition to the Hard Rock Live performance venue, Hard Rock Casino’s five dining options include Hard Rock Café, Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, YOUYU Noodle Bar, Fresh Harvest, and Constant Grind Coffee Shop, and also features a retail shop. For more information, contact https://www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
About Hard Rock Live:
The Hard Rock Live performance venue is outfitted with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The sound equipment features an L-Acoustics K2 line array system with KS28 subwoofers and KIVA-II front fill. Hard Rock Live has excellent sightlines. Hard Rock Live can seat up to 1,894 with an overall capacity of 2,700 including standing room only.