BSO SuperPops Season Opener Features "America's Ambassador of Song" Michael Feinstein

Celebrated American Songbook interpreter performs with Jack Everly and the BSO SuperPops


Baltimore, Md. (October 3, 2007)- World-renowned singer and pianist Michael Feinstein will join Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly and the BSO SuperPops for their first performance of the 2007-2008 season, November 1 at the Music Center at Strathmore and November 2-4 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Known as "America's Ambassador of Song," Feinstein has won critical acclaim worldwide, with the New York Times noting, "pop singing doesn't come any smoother than this." A celebrated singer and pianist, Feinstein will perform the music of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin and others in arrangements with BSO accompaniment and by himself at the piano. See below for complete program information.

Since his Broadway debut in 1988, Michael Feinstein has become one of the world's most well known interpreters of the music of early Broadway and Hollywood musicals and Tin Pan Alley, collectively known as the Great American Songbook. In addition to his active performance calendar, Mr. Feinstein has composed for musicals and films, produced recordings for artists including Liza Minnelli, and hosted and produced the PBS special The Great American Songbook, a documentary tracing the history of popular music in the United States. His extensive discography includes the Grammy nominated Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Only One Life - The Songs of Jimmy Webb, named one of the "10 Best CDs of the Year" by USA Today in 2004.

In his first appearance of the season, Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly will lead the BSO with Michael Feinsetin in classics from the American Songbook including the Gershwins' "'S Wonderful" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me," and Irving Berlin's "Alexander's Ragtime Band." The concert will also feature overtures from musicals by British-American songwriter Jule Styne including Funny Girl, High Button Shoes, and Gypsy.

Michael Feinstein, vocalist and pianist
Michael Feinstein, one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song, has been a household name since the success of his 1988 one-man Broadway show, Isn't It Romantic. He enjoys an active performance calendar, including major concert halls, symphony orchestras, intimate jazz clubs and college campuses. More than a mere performer, he is nationally recognized for his commitment to the American popular song, both celebrating its art and preserving its legacy for the next generation.

In 2003, Michael received his fourth Grammy Award nomination for his Concord release, Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, his first recording with a symphony orchestra. The year before, Rhino/Elektra Music released The Michael Feinstein Anthology, a two-disc compilation spanning the years 1987 to 1996, featuring old favorites and previously unreleased tracks.

He hosted and produced The Great American Songbook, a PBS Special and DVD set from Warner Brothers Home Video that traces the history of popular music in our country. The program, which debuted at the Palm Springs Film Festival, was released last year. His own record label, Feinery, a new Concord subsidiary, released The Livingston & Evans Songbook, featuring Feinstein and special guest Melissa Manchester. Feinery also plans to record favorite current artists, and restore recordings and musical broadcasts from the golden age of popular song, many of which showcase some of the nation's most admired and enduring entertainers.

Since becoming a Concord Records artist in 1998, Feinstein has recorded Michael and George: Feinstein Sings Gershwin, Big City Rhythms (with the Maynard Ferguson Big Band), the double-CD Romance On Film, Romance On Broadway, among others.  The Library of Congress recently elected Michael to the exclusive "National Sound Recording Advisory Board." He and other industry leaders recently met in Washington D.C. for a forum on safeguarding America's musical heritage.

Jack Everly, conductor
Known for his innovative programming and deep knowledge of the symphonic pops repertoire, Jack Everly is Principal Pops Conductor of the Baltimore, Indianapolis, and National Arts Centre (Ottawa) symphonies as well as Music Director for the Symphonic Pops Consortium. He is also the Music Director of the Indianapolis Symphony's A Yuletide Celebration and the Baltimore Symphony's Holiday Spectacular.

As Music Director of American Ballet Theater for 14 years, Mr. Everly conducted thousands of performances and dozens of world premieres for that company. He has teamed with Marvin Hamlisch in shows that Mr. Hamlisch has composed. Mr. Everly has also appeared on "In Performance at the White House" and has been music director on numerous Broadway cast recordings, including Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In addition to that popular soundtrack, his discography includes numerous Broadway cast recordings, as well as Everything's Coming Up Roses: The Complete Overtures of Broadway's Jule Styne.

COMPLETE PROGRAM INFORMATION
BSO SuperPops: Michael Feinstein

Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.-The Music Center at Strathmore
Friday, November 2, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.-Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (JMSH)
Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.-JMSH
Sunday, November 4, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. - JMSH

Jack Everly, conductor
Michael Feinstein, vocalist and pianist

Special anniversary pricing for the 2007-2008 season at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is made possible by generous underwriting from the PNC Foundation.
 
Tickets for these performances range from $15 to $84 and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 877.BSO.1444 or 410.783.8000, or  BSOmusic.org.