NACO and the NCC present Orchestras in the Park

Come and See the Stars Play This Summer at the Park

Orchestras in the Park, a four-concert free outdoor festival at LeBreton Flats Park presented by the NAC and NCC

Ottawa, July 14, 2008 ’Äì Scorpius and Antares will not be the only group of stars shining on July 17, 2008 when opera superstars Measha Bruggergosman and Richard Margison open the series of Orchestras in the Park. The NAC in collaboration with the NCC is offering four exceptional concerts free to the public at LeBreton Flats Park from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 7:30 pm daily. Families and friends can picnic, bring their chairs or bikes and relax to the beautiful sounds of summer.

Thursday, July 17 7:30pm

The Orchestras in the Park series begins on Thursday, July 17, at 7:30 pm with a special concert of opera’Äôs greatest hits entitled ’ÄúOpera Under the Stars’Äù. This evening will be dedicated to Richard Bradshaw, former General Director of the Canadian Opera House who passed away last year.

Featuring:

National Arts Centre Orchestra
Alain Trudel, conductor
Measha Brueggergosman, soprano
Richard Margison, tenor
Opera Lyra Chorus
Laurence Ewashko, choir director

Friday, July 18 7:30pm

l’ÄôOrchestre de la francophonie canadienne will take the stage performing Strauss and Brahms with a special piece to commemorate Quebec’Äôs 400^th anniversary.

Featuring:

L’ÄôOrchestre de la francophonie canadienne
Jean-Philippe Tremblay, conductor
Marianne Fiset, soprano

Julien Bilodeau, Commission for OFC, ¬´ Quˆ©bec ¬ª

Saturday, July 19 7:30pm

Folk-country legend Ian Tyson, composer of ’ÄúFour Strong Winds’Äù will perform a special concert on his 75^th birthday. Come celebrate and hear some of the songs that made him famous.

Featuring:

National Arts Centre Orchestra
Ian Tyson, vocalist / guitar

And band members MC Horses & Bill Kane

Sunday, July 20, 2008 7:30pm

Orchestras in the Park will close with a magnificent concert featuring the National Arts Centre Orchestra. One of Canada’Äôs most gifted, and charismatic pianists and Jessica Linnebach, an equally talented member of NACO will perform two dazzling showpieces ’Äì Tchaikovsky’Äôs Piano Concerto No 1 and Sarasate’Äôs finger-busting Fantasy on Bizet’Äôs Carmen for violin.

Featuring:

National Arts Centre Orchestra
Alain Trudel, conductor
Jon Kimura Parker, piano
Jessica Linnebach, violin

LeBreton Flats Park, a 3.6 hectare area between the Canadian War MuseumWellington Street offers spectacular views and is the biggest gathering site for cultural events in the Capital. Residents and visitors are reminded to pack their lawn chairs and picnics for this event. Limited onsite parking is available, therefore the public is encouraged to use public transit.