written by Sason Bishop Parry
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES SUMMER WITH THE SYMPHONY CONCERTS, JULY 3–AUGUST 3, 2018
THREE COMPLETE CYCLES OF GEORGE LUCAS’ ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY PERFORMED LIVE TO PICTURE BY THE SFS
Other highlights include performances of The Little Mermaid, Mariachi Sol del México® de José Hernández, A Salute to Gershwin with Capathia Jenkins, and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with William Hagen
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The San Francisco Symphony (SFS) announces its annual Summer with the Symphony series, running July 3–August 3 at Davies Symphony Hall and at other outdoor locations throughout the Bay Area.
From July 18 to August 3, the SFS presents long-awaited performances of George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy, with the Orchestra performing John Williams’ legendary scores, live to picture as the films are projected onto a large screen above the Davies Symphony Hall stage. Since the release of A New Hope in 1977, the Star Wars films have had a far-reaching impact on popular culture, with many of their key themes and phrases becoming embedded in the popular lexicon. They have inspired a generation of film lovers with their iconic visuals, sounds, and narratives, and have spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, games, and texts. On July 18–21, Sarah Hicks conducts the SFS in performances of A New Hope; followed by Emil de Cou leading the Orchestra in The Empire Strikes Back on July 26–28; and Return of
the Jedi with conductor Jack Everly, July 29–August 3.
The SFS’s Summer with the Symphony series, which includes an array of family-friendly and classical programs, kicks off on July 3 with A Salute to Gershwin, conducted by Edwin Outwater and featuring award-winning pianist Andrew von Oeyen in performances of dazzling Gershwin showpieces including Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, and featuring Broadway vocalist Capathia Jenkins in tuneful favorites such as “Summertime.” The following day, Capathia Jenkins and Andrew von Oeyen join the SFS for its annual Fourth of July concert and fireworks spectacular presented by LiveNation at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, also conducted by Edwin Outwater. Then, on July 6–8, conductor Steven Allen Fox leads the SFS in performances of beloved animated Disney classic The Little Mermaid, with the Orchestra performing Alan Menken’s Oscar-winning score live to picture.
Summer with the Symphony continues on July 12 with another family-friendly concert presentation—José Hernández leads his world-famous ensemble Mariachi Sol de México® in a festive tribute to Mexico’s heritage and rich music, playing favorites from both Mexico and the United States in an exhilarating performance of vibrant rhythms and showmanship (note: the SFS does not appear in this performance). July 13–14 concerts feature Alexander Prior conducting the SFS in masterpieces from the Russian classical repertoire, including Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s monumental Violin Concerto performed by William Hagen. And on July 22, Jayce Ogren conducts the SFS, joined by pianist Adam Golka, in its annual free concert at the 81st Stern Grove Festival, an admission-free performing arts series that has taken place every summer since 1938 in Sigmund Stern Grove. The program includes Sibelius’ majestic Symphony No. 2, described by the composer as “a confession of the soul.”
All concerts are at Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, unless otherwise noted.
Tickets for the San Francisco Symphony’s Summer with the Symphony concerts start at $15 and are on sale at www.sfsymphony.org/summer, (415) 864-6000, and at the Davies Symphony Hall Box Office, located on Grove Street between Franklin and Van Ness.
Tickets for all Star Wars with the Symphony concerts are available now at sfsymphony.org, (415) 864-6000, and at the Davies Symphony Hall Box Office, located on Grove Street between Franklin and Van Ness.
Tickets for the Fourth of July Celebration at Shoreline Amphitheatre are available at: www.livenation.com
FOR COMPLETE INFO ON THE SF SYMPONY GO TO: www.sfsymphony.org
