Buffalo Rising Online

Jan 30th 2007, 6:24pm By buffalorising

The BPO presents a romantic evening of music and dance on February 9, at 8:00 p.m. and February 10, 8 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall. Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch (photo) directs the orchestra and special guests Anne Runolfsson, soprano, and Doug Labrecque, baritone, in a program that celebrates the most romantic songs and music ever written. Also joining Mr. Hamlisch will be the Philharmonic chorus, under the direction of L. Brett Scott.

After the performance, concertgoers will continue the romance by enjoying a Sweetheart's Dance in the Mary Seaton Room with live music provided by the Main Event.

Marvin Hamlisch's life in music is notable for its great versatility. In addition to being the BPO Principal Pops Conductor, he holds the position of Principal Pops Conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as well as with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC. As a composer, Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards; his groundbreaking show, A Chorus Line, received the Pulitzer Prize. He is the composer of more than forty motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for The Way We Were and his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for The Sting, for which he received a third Oscar. One of the youngest students ever admitted to The Juilliard School, Hamlisch believes in the power of music to bring people together. He says: "Music is truly an international language, and I hope to contribute by widening communication as much as I can."

Anne Runolfsson has an impressive background in the musical theater, cabaret and concert world, having performed and recorded extensively in America and abroad. Her Broadway credits include starring roles in James Joyce's The Dead, Les Miserables, Cyrano, and Aspects of Love. She was awarded the Prestigious MAC award for Best Female Vocalist.

Doug Labrecque has been a soloist with some of the world's finest symphony orchestras including The National Symphony, The Israel Philharmonic (Tel Aviv), and The Chicago Symphony. He has thrilled theater audiences as The Phantom and Raoul in the Hal Prince production of The Phantom of the Opera, as well as starring on Broadway as Ravenal in the Hal Prince revival of Showboat.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus was established by Jessamine E. Long in 1937 as the Buffalo Schola Cantorum. Ms. Long was succeeded in 1945 by Cameron Baird who guided the group to prominence during its formative years. Under Mr. Baird's baton, the Chorus became established as the premier choral ensemble in Western New York. For two decades, from 1979 until his death in 2001, Thomas Swan led the Chorus through a period of extraordinary growth. Dr. Dale Adelmann succeeded Mr. Swan and led the group until his departure from Western New York in the summer of 2003.

L. Brett Scott has been music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus since fall 2004. His vision of musical excellence in choral preparation and his commitment to imaginative programming, including commission and premiere performances of new choral works, have earned for him the highest admiration and respect from professional colleagues and audiences alike. Dr. Scott is also Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Rochester, and Assistant Professor of Conducting and Ensembles at the Eastman School of Music.

For tickets to this concert, call the BPO Box Office at 716-885-5000 or visit www.bpo.org.

This Pops Concert is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.