March 24, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- Six decades into one of songwriting’s most successful and honoured careers marked by 48 Top 10 hits, nine Number One songs and more than 500 compositions, Burt Bacharach’s music continues to set industry records and creative standards.  Burt Bacharach, one of the greatest composers of all time and the “ultra-cool cult hero” of the contemporary music set, returns to the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on Sunday, April 4 at 20:00 to perform medleys of his greatest hits with his own ensemble. This performance is sponsored by Otto’s BMW.

A recipient of three Academy Awards and five Grammy Awards, Burt Bacharach revolutionized the music of the 1950s and 60s and is regularly bracketed with legendary names such as Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers.  As a record producer, he ranks with a handful of visionaries who pioneered new forms of music from the early 60s through into the 21st century. His devoted fans span several generations.

As popular as ever, this legend of American popular song recently produced, arranged and conducted an album of his own songs sung by Ron Isley, which has remained on the BILLBOARD’s Top R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUM CHART since its debut in November 2003.

People Magazine named him one of the “Sexiest Men Alive” in 2000, and one of the “50 Most Beautiful People” in 1999.

His songs have been recorded by equally legendary Americans such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Linda Ronstadt and Aretha Franklin. Other tributes to the diversity of Bacharach’s music have been paid by, among others, Elvis Costello (“I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”), REM, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Krall, Barenaked Ladies, Sheryl Crow, Wynonna Judd and Mike Myers.  Krall’s album, The Look of Love, garnered widespread critical praise and resided at No. 1 on the jazz charts for a full year. 

Mike Myers, aka “Austin Powers,” considers Bacharach his lucky charm, and has cast him in all “Austin Powers” films. Other film credits include the Platinum-selling soundtrack from My Best Friend’s Wedding which featured several Bacharach songs, interpreted by Ani DiFranco (“Wishin’ and Hopin’”) and Diana King, whose recording of “I Say A Little Prayer” hit the top of the charts. He won two Academy Awards and a Grammy for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid where “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” first made its mark. He won another Oscar for the theme song of Arthur.

“The dream world of Mr. Bacharach’s music is built on chromatic harmonies that hover anxiously between major and minor keys; angular, knotty melodies that rush, then hesitate, quickly changing time; hints of Brazilian Bossa Nova.” – NEW YORK TIMES, 2003

“The songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David are timeless classics boasting intricate, endlessly facile melodies and wonderfully inventive lyrics.” - THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2003

“Their [Bacharach and David] song titles read like a catalogue of contemporary pop’s golden era….” – USA TODAY, 2003

Burt Bacharach made his National Arts Centre debut with the NAC Orchestra in October 2001. For this return visit he will be featured with his own ensemble.

Tickets for this special concert by Burt Bacharach and his ensemble on Sunday, April 4 at 20:00 are on sale now at $34.50, $48.50, $50.00, $59.00 and $61.00, with box seats at $86.00 (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 web-site 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.

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