Omaha Symphony announces details on its 99th season

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — In a new release from the Omaha Symphony, the organization named a lineup that's sure to have something for everyone.

The 2019/2020 season will include hits like Batman, The Empire Strikes Back and more.

You can read the full release below:

The musically diverse season includes both classical and contemporary favorites performed by Omaha’s own professional orchestra on six unique series: MasterWorks, Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks, Symphony Joslyn, Movies, and Family.

The MasterWorks series features well-known and beloved symphonic works, including Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony, highlights from Tchaikovsky’s thrilling ballet Swan Lake, a Piano Power program featuring Rachmaninoff and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and music by Brahms, Mahler, and an all-Beethoven finale. On the Symphony Joslyn series, Dr. Condoleezza Rice will return to the orchestra under the baton of her good friend, Music Director Thomas Wilkins, while other series highlights including Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night, Stravinsky’s complete ballet score for Pulcinella, and music by Haydn, Brahms, and Schumann.

Other season highlights include Bugs Bunny at the Symphony: 30^th Anniversary on the Symphony Pops Series, Windborne’s Music of Queen on the Symphony Rocks Series, and three full-length movies on the Movies Series: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban[Symbol] in Concert, Tim Burton’s Batman, and The Empire Strikes Back.

“The upcoming symphony season truly showcases the versatility of your Omaha Symphony,” said Jennifer L. Boomgaarden, President and CEO. “From our traditional MasterWorks and Joslyn series to Pops, Rocks, and Movies to our extensive educational programming, it is not unusual for us to ask our talented musicians to perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, a definite challenge for any musician, one week; mentor high school musicians the next week; and undertake technically demanding music like John Williams’ score to The Empire Strikes Back the next. We are so fortunate to have incredibly adaptable performers here in Omaha that allow us to serve such a broad base of our community.”

The symphony will also celebrate Beethoven’s 250^th birthday with several Beethoven-related programs, including an all-Beethoven season finale featuring the composer’s “Eroica” Symphony, and Symphony No. 2 on the Symphony Joslyn Series.

Season ticket subscribers can begin renewing their subscription packages the week of February 18 via mail, phone, or online at omahasymphony.org. Subscribers to most series receive a discount on their season ticket package equivalent to one free concert. Subscribers also receive a 15% discount when adding tickets to concert not included in their subscription package.

Other highlights from the 2019/20 season include:

• MasterWorks series: Music Director Thomas Wilkins will open the season in September with a commissioned piece by Zhou Tian celebrating the 150^thanniversary of the Trans Continental Railroad, pianist Charlie Albright returns to play Chopin, Concertmaster Susanna Perry Gilmore will hypnotize with Bruch’sScottish Fantasy, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, andBrahms’ Violin Concerto will delight listeners.
• Symphony Joslyn series: Art and music lovers will enjoy works by Ravel, Haydn, and Handel, as well as Brahms’ Serenade No. 1, Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2.
• Symphony Pops series: Celtic Journey returns for a third, updated performance of Irish music and dance, the Physicians Mutual Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration continues to be one of Omaha’s favorite holiday traditions, and sensationally talented singer and pianist Tony DeSare brings a fresh take to old classics in Sinatra and Beyond.
• Symphony Rocks series: The Symphony Rocks series salutes the Beatles’ groundbreaking album in Abbey Road at 50, while Omaha-based performers Pet Rock and Billy McGuigan get their chance to shine with the symphony in two brand new programs.
• Movies series: The Movies series brings three full-length movies to the screen with the full scores performed live with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban[Symbol] in Concert, Tim Burton’s Batman in Concert, and The Empire Strikes Back in Concert.
• Family series: The Holland Center is haunted in Symphony Spooktacular: The Haunted Hall, while the orchestra partners with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for Buzzing about Bugs!, which will also feature an original work by 12-year-old Omaha composer Winston Schneider.

For ticketing information, contact the Omaha Symphony at 402-345-0606, or online at www.omahasymphony.org.

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are ©️ & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©️ JKR. (s19)

The Omaha Symphony is a non-profit organization that presents more than 100 live orchestral performances from September through June. In addition to MasterWorks, Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks, Movies, Symphony Joslyn, and Family series concerts, the Omaha Symphony’s nationally recognized education and community engagement programs touch the lives of more than 40,000 people each year. For tickets or information regarding the Omaha Symphony, call 402-345-0606 or visit omahasymphony.org.