Portland Symphony Orchestra opens Music Director Robert Moody's Inaugural Season

PORTLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OPENS MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT MOODY'S INAUGURAL SEASON OCTOBER 7 PORTLAND, Maine ’Äì Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is celebrating Music Director Robert Moody's dynamic new vision for the PSO at the opening concert of his inaugural season on Tuesday, October 7 at Merrill Auditorium. Moody will open the evening with Dvo‰ôˆ°k's exuberant Carnival Overture followed by Liquid Interface by Mason Bates, commissioned and recently premiered by the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The celebratory program concludes with the always-popular Pictures at an Exhibition, composed by Mussorgsky and arranged by Maurice Ravel. Limited seating is available for this exciting opening of PSO's 2008-2009 season. The concert, which is sponsored by Fairpoint Communications, begins at 7:30 p.m. with a Concert Conversation at 6:15 and a post-concert After Party. Other Inaugural Events: PSO @ SPACE: Sunday, October 5 Robert Moody will host this unique first-time collaboration between the PSO and Portland's SPACE Gallery. In addition to his show with the PSO on Tuesday, Mason Bates, who is also known as DJ Masonic, will perform with the Improvisational String Quartet (Yasmin Craig Vitalius, PSO violinist; Nathan Kolosko, classical guitar; Al Giusto, resonator guitar; and Catherine Stambach, acoustic bass). For details, call (207) 828-5600 or visit www.space538.org. PSO Pops: "Tribute to John Williams" ’Äì October 11-12 Moody opens the PSO Pops! series joined by members of the Choral Art Society, USM Chamber Singers, and Saco Bay Children's Choir, along with special guests from the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars fan club. Patrons will hear John Williams' most memorable classics from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and more. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by L.L. Bean. Masked Inaugural Ball ’Äì Saturday, October 25 This elegant, black-tie evening to honor Moody's inaugural season will be held at the Portland Country Club. For details and reservations, call (207) 773-6128 or email events@portlandsymphony.com. All Portland Symphony Orchestra tickets are sold through PortTix at (207) 842-0800 or www.porttix.com, and new this year, the website offers real-time online seat selection. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office at 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. For complete season information, including artist biographies and program notes, visit www.portlandsymphony.com.