Park Ridge Fine Arts Society • Summer 2009 Season
Barbara Schubert, Music Director and Conductor

Six orchestral concerts featuring the Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony and acclaimed soloists, plus two bonus programs featuring big band and popular fare. All concerts except the July 3 are presented in beautiful Hodges Park in the heart of downtown Park Ridge; the July 3 program takes place at the Maine East High School Athletic Field. All performances begin at 8:00 pm.

Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony Concerts:

Friday, June 19 Czech Mix
A mélange of melodius music from the heart of Central Europe, including the Overture and Three Dances from Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, plus Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major and Slavonic Dances.

Friday, June 26 Pictures and Portraits
A special Family Concert, featuring Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and other descriptive works.

Friday, July 3 American Monuments
Inspirational patriotic music, including Arthur Harris’s Americana and Michael Gilbertson’s Reflections on Rushmore, plus Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture preceding the annual Park Ridge fireworks display!

Friday, July 10 Across the Footlights
Masterpieces of Broadway and Cinema: from My Fair Lady and The King and I to West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof – plus a touch of John Williams.

Friday, July 17 Opera Gala
Soprano Winifred Brown and mezzo-soprano Jessye Wright take center stage for an evening of opera highlights, with arias and duets from Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Die Fledermaus, Merry Widow, and more.

Friday, July 24 Variations
Late Romantic “Inventions”: Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn and Symphony No. 4 in E minor, plus Sarasate’s flamboyant Carmen Fantasy with PRFAS Concertmaster Stephen Boe as soloist.

Bonus Concerts:

Friday, July 31 Brian Patti Big Band
A tribute to Benny Goodman, the King of Swing, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Friday, August 7 Tentative concert