September 13, 2006 -

Ottawa, Canada -- Music Director Pinchas Zukerman will open the 2006-07 season of the National Arts Centre Orchestra with a stunning programme featuring Ottawa’s own superstar baritone Gerald Finley performing eight arias by Mozart, as well as the world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman playing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1. These Mark Motors Audi Signature concerts take place on Wednesday, September 20 and Thursday, September 21 at 20:00 in Southam Hall.

There will be free Pre-Concert Talks in English both evenings by CBC Radio Music Producer David Houston entitled “Young Master; Young Love”.

Baritone Gerald Finley, who began his vocal career as a boy chorister in the St. Matthew Church Choir in Ottawa, has now sung leading Mozart roles at the most prestigious opera houses in the world including the Royal Opera Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Opéra de Paris and Vienna’s Theater an de Wein. He is currently nominated for Gramophone’s Artist of the Year. With the NAC Orchestra he will generously present no fewer than eight arias from four of the Mozart operas for which he is most famous: The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and Cosi fan tutte. The NAC Orchestra will add the overture from Don Giovanni to this Mozart feast. (The full set of arias is listed below).

Yefim Bronfman, one of Ottawa’s favourite soloists, will join with Pinchas Zukerman in Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, one of the most grandiose and majestic in the repertoire, continuing Zukerman’s cycle of Brahms’ complete orchestral works. Bronfman comes to the NAC straight from the opening Gala of the New York Philharmonic where he partners with Emanuel Ax for a live television broadcast. In winter 2007, he will give the world premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Piano Concerto, written for him and commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, and participate in the Israel Philharmonic’s 70th birthday celebrations in concerts conducted by Zubin Mehta and Valery Gergiev. With trio partners Gil Shaham and Truls Mork, a tour of the United States will culminate in a final performance at Carnegie Hall.

MOZART ARIAS:
Die Zauberflöte K. 620
Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja (Papageno)
Ein Madchen oder Weibchen (Papageno)

Le nozze di Figaro K. 492
Se vuol ballare (Figaro)
Non piu andrai (Figaro)
Hai già vinta la causa (Count’s aria)

Don Giovanni K. 527
Overture
Deh, vieni alla finestra (Don Giovanni)
Fin ch’han dal vino (Don Giovanni)

Cosi fan tutte K. 588
Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo (Guglielmo)

Tickets for these Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts on September 20 and 21 are on sale now at $18.82, $38.64, $58.45, 68.36 with box seats at $82.22 (6% GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Same-day Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $10 at the NAC Box Office between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card. Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca. Subscriptions for the season are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

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