Wednesday, January 5, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jill Graziano Laiacona

703-993-8794

MANASSAS, Va., Jan. 5, 2010 – In its first North American tour, this impressive orchestra brings an extraordinary evening of symphonic music to the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011 at 8 p.m. Formed in 1947, Opole, Philharmonic of Poland regularly appears at prominent cultural events in its homeland, while also touring extensively abroad. Under the leadership of Maestro Boguslaw Dawidow, this esteemed ensemble has hosted a growing number of world-class musicians, as well as winners of piano, violin and conducting competitions. The program features Liszt’s Symphonic Poem No. 6, “Mazeppa” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in C minor, op. 98. Virtuoso pianist Evgeni Mikhailov is joined by the orchestra on Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major. A pre-performance discussion will be held one hour prior to the performance in the Hylton Center’s Buchanan Partners Art Gallery. Novant Health is the Grand Opening Season Sponsor of Hylton Presents at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Founded immediately after the conclusion of World War II, Opole, Philharmonic of Poland is considered one of Poland’s leading orchestras and has been awarded the State Award for Arts Excellence by the Ministry of Culture of Poland. Since 1960, the orchestra has participated in prestigious festivals and cultural events throughout its homeland, and has toured extensively abroad through Europe, South America and Asia, performing music of contemporary Polish composers to great critical and popular acclaim. The orchestra was also invited to perform in honor of Pope John Paul II’s 80^th birthday in May 2000.

The music director of Opole, Philharmonic of Poland since 1999, Dawidow has been a key figure in shaping the orchestra and raising its international stature. Internationally renowned for his musical knowledge, immense enthusiasm and extraordinary stage presence, Dawidow has conducted ensembles across the globe throughout his career and served as the resident conductor of the Polish Chamber Orchestra and the artistic director and principal conductor of the Russian National Academic Symphony Orchestra. He founded the Chopin Chamber Orchestra in Krakow, with which he continues to tour, and he is also the principal guest conductor of the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. In honor of his exceptional music talents, experience and management, the American Biographical Institute presented Dawidow with the “Man of the Year” Award in 2002.

Prizewinner of the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition, the Scriabin International Piano Competition, the Eriksson International Piano Competition and the Pozzoli International Piano Competition, Evgeni Mikhailov has performed more than 400 concerts around the world. He has been a soloist with the Deutsche Symphonie Orchester Berlin, Russian National Orchestra, Orchestre of Montevideo, Mexico City Philharmonic and the Buenos Aires Philharmonic. An acknowledged master of the “Silver Age” of Russian music – the works of Medtner, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin – Mikhailov’s performances in the Great and Small Halls of the Moscow Conservatory, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow and Great Hall of St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra have become an honored tradition and have garnered rave reviews from international music press.

PLEASE NOTE:

Opole, Philharmonic of Poland also appears at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 at 8 p.m. with a program that features Mozart’s delightful overture to “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute) and Beethoven’s powerful Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Mikhailov is joined by the orchestra for Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 by celebrated Polish composer I.J. Paderewski.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is pleased to recognize

Novant Health as the Grand Opening Season Sponsor

of the 2010-11 Hylton Presents season.

Tickets for OPOLE, PHILHARMONIC OF POLAND are $32, $40, $48. Visit the box office or charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit hyltoncenter.org. The Hylton Performing Arts Center is located on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, Va., 20110. Free parking is available in the lot next to the Hylton Center. For more information, please visit hyltoncenter.org.

About the Hylton Performing Arts Center
Dedicated to bringing a world-class performing arts venue to the Prince William region, the Hylton Performing Arts Center was born out of a partnership among Prince William County, George Mason University, the City of Manassas, the Commonwealth of Virginia and individuals and businesses in the private sector. Soaring more than nine stories and boasting a stunning mix of copper, glass and masonry, the 85,000-square foot center is home to two unparalleled performance venues for local arts groups and performers from around the world, as well as university-related activities. Modeled after the intimate European opera houses of the 19th century, Merchant Hall is a 1,140-seat multipurpose proscenium theater, which is encircled by 27 private boxes that rise three levels. The Gregory Family Theater is a flexible, 4,400-square foot space that can be configured for many different types of performances and events. In addition, the Didlake Grand Foyer, with its sweeping staircase, provides an ideal setting for community, corporate and social events. The Hylton Performing Arts Center, the only building of its kind in the area, is sure to quickly become the cultural hub of Prince William County and the surrounding communities and is a shining example of collaboration and commitment to the arts.

About George Mason University

Named the #1 national university to watch in the 2009 rankings of U.S. News & World Report, George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., Mason provides students access to diverse cultural experiences and the most sought-after internships and employers in the country. Mason offers strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, organizational psychology, health care and visual and performing arts. With Mason professors conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as climate change, public policy and the biosciences, George Mason University is a leading example of the modern, public university.

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