April 24, 2003 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre today announced that violinist Itzhak Perlman will return to the NAC to join his close friend, violinist, violist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra for the seventh annual National Arts Centre Gala. This spectacular concert and gala with two of the greatest string players of all time will take place under the distinguished patronage of Honorary Chair Aline Chrétien on Saturday, October 4, 2003 at 19:00 in the NAC's Southam Hall. There will be a pre-concert reception in the Foyer for all patrons at 18:00, and post-concert supper and dancing on the Southam Hall stage for gala patrons. The 21-member Gala Committee is chaired by Kenneth Loeb, President of Capital Box of Ottawa Limited.

The National Arts Centre Gala is presented by TELUS, Founding Partner of the National Youth and Education Trust, in association with Sun Life Financial. Special thanks go to A & E Television Networks, St. Laurent Volvo, Craig Broadcasting, Harmon Foundation, Capital Box of Ottawa Limited, Cognos Inc., Ottawa Citizen, LeDroit, B!ddle McGillvray Advertising and the Lowe-Martin Group.

Itzhak Perlman last visited the NAC four years ago when he and Maestro Zukerman joined forces for a magical night of music-making at the 1999 National Arts Centre Gala. The Ottawa Citizen declared, "Short of having live appearances by Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart, it's hard to imagine a more magnetic event.... Among the chief pleasures of the evening were the cadenzas of the Mozart in which the soloists played with such a unanimity of means and ends that it almost defied belief," while Le Droit said: "There is no doubt. This gala uniting the strings of Perlman and Zukerman was more than just a success; it was a superb concert... Zukerman, in the presence of his friend played as if transported."

The programme for the Perlman-Zukerman Gala with the National Arts Centre Orchestra will be announced at a later date. However, it is well known that the development of promising talent is a cause very close to both of these mentors and that young artists will play a role in the concert.

All proceeds from the National Arts Centre Gala are designated to the National Youth and Education Trust, a primary resource for supporting the artistic development of young Canadians through education, professional training and mentoring programmes and young audience performances.

Itzhak Perlman is undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin and enjoys a superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician.

Born in Israel in 1945, Mr. Perlman came to New York and was soon propelled into the international arena with an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1958. Following his studies at the Juilliard School with Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay, he won the prestigious Levintritt Competition in 1964 which led to a worldwide career. Since then he has appeared with every major orchestra and in recitals and festivals across the globe.

Itzhak Perlman's recordings regularly appear on the best-seller charts and have garnered fifteen Grammy Awards. He also has four Emmy Awards, most recently for the PBS documentary Fiddling for the Future, a film about the Perlman Summer Music Program and his work as a teacher and conductor there.

Concert tickets priced at $65, $100, $125 and $175, include the pre-concert reception in the NAC Foyer with wine and canapés at 18:00, followed by the concert at 19:00. These go on sale on Monday, April 28 to NAC donors and subscribers until Friday, May 16, in person at the NAC Box Office or by fax or mail. Tickets for the general public go on sale on Tuesday, May 20, at the NAC Box Office or through Ticketmaster at (613) 755-1111.

Encore seating of ten for $7,000 includes the pre-concert reception and the concert, as well as a post-concert reception in the Panorama Room followed by a candlelight dinner and dancing on the Southam Hall stage, and recognition throughout the gala.

Impresario Boxes of ten for $10,000 include the above, plus named Box seating and intermission hospitality in the Box.

Impresario Boxes and Encore Seating may be purchased through the NAC Development Department at (613) 947-7000, ext. 393.

Applause tickets priced at $350 for the full gala, including the pre-concert and post-concert receptions and dinner and dancing, are sold out.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Marketing Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca