July 13, 2007 -

Features the NAC Orchestra, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and l'Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne

Ottawa, Canada -- Orchestras in the Park, July 19 to 22, is a glorious open-air festival in LeBreton Flats Park of four free evening concerts by the National Arts Centre Orchestra ("Night at the Proms" on July 19 at 19:30, and with Spirit of the West on July 21 at 19:00); the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (July 20 at 19:30), and l'Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne (July 22 at 19:00). Orchestras in the Park is presented by the National Arts Centre (NAC) and the National Capital Commission (NCC) and sponsored by TELUS. Admittance is free and no tickets are required. Activities on site will include a free "Kids Zone" one hour before each performance.

"We are proud to launch the first summer of a three-year partnership between the National Arts Centre and the National Capital Commission to present a series of outdoor orchestral concerts at this new festival site in the heart of the Capital," said Micheline Dubé, Chief Executive Officer of the National Capital Commission. "In the summer of 2007, these concerts are part of the celebrations in honour of the 150th anniversary of the choice of the Capital."

Orchestras in the Park is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate summer in true Ottawa style … outdoors while enjoying the world's great music performed by some of Canada's finest musicians," said Janet Yale, executive vice president, corporate affairs for TELUS. "TELUS believes in giving where we live to help youth develop a life-long relationship with the arts, so we are especially pleased to support the Orchestras in the Park 'Kids Zone' through a donation by the TELUS Ottawa Community Board."

Orchestras in the Park begins on Thursday, July 19 at 19:30 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra led by British conductor James Judd in a "Night at the Proms" programme beginning with Coates' Knightsbridge March, followed by piano virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin performing Mozart's Concerto No. 20. Then it is all-Elgar with the glorious "Enigma" Variations which the Orchestra played for the first time ever in 2005, followed by the perfect conclusion to a Proms concert: Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance.

On Friday, July 20 at 19:30, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra presents two musical versions of Romeo and Juliet – the Fantaisie-Overture by Tchaikovsky and a suite from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet ballet score. Music Director David Currie will also lead the finale from Dvorák's magnificent "New World" Symphony, and a surprise hit from earlier this season – a movement from the new Viola Concerto by Ottawa composer Steven Gellman written for, and performed by the NAC Orchestra's stellar associate principal viola Jethro Marks.

The NAC Orchestra returns on Saturday, July 21 – this time at 19:00 – in a completely different style. The musicians will be joined on stage by West Coast folk/celtic/rock ensemble Spirit of the West for a rollicking evening of music and song.

The Festival wraps up on Sunday, July 22 at 19:00 with l'Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne led by Music Director Jean-Philippe Tremblay leading Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 performed by Wonny Song, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique".

During the Orchestras in the Park concerts at LeBreton Flats Park, a special "Kids Zone" funded by a donation from the TELUS Ottawa Community Board allows children and their families to explore the world of classical music. There will be live demonstrations by young musicians from SuzukiMusic and an instrument "petting zoo", as well as crafts and face painting. These activities will take place in the "Kids Zone" tent one hour before each concert from July 19 to 22.

LeBreton Flats Park, a 3.6 hectare area between the Canadian War Museum and Wellington 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. (There is no shuttle service offered.)

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Information:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
613-947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca

Kathryn Keyes, Media Relations Advisor,
National Capital Commission
613-239-5636
kkeyes@ncc-ccn.ca