Pops Summer Concert Series
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra has a special summer season planned for Riverbend Music Center’s 25th anniversary season. With more Billboard charted recordings than any other orchestra in the world and PBS specials that have reached 30 million television viewers, the Pops performs four exciting different concert programs along the banks of the Ohio River in June, July and August-starting with the return of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on June 18 with Erich Kunzel on the podium. This program featuring the nation’s most famous choir includes choral masterworks, American folk tunes, hymns, music from around the world and patriotic favorites.
“This is more than a choir — it’s an American icon,” said Mr. Kunzel. “I have had the pleasure of working with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for several performances and every time it is so inspirational, revelatory and stirring.”
“Stirring” also makes for a fitting description of the next summer concert program on the 4th of July. Cincinnati-native Vince Lee conducts the Pops in a musical Independence Day celebration featuring favorite songs and patriotic anthems including the Armed Forces Salute and, in honor of the Lincoln Bicentennial, a special performance of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait narrated by Channel 9’s Clyde Gray. Joining Maestro Lee and the Pops are Broadway singers Pamela Myers and Lee Roy Reams, as well as the May Festival Summer Chorus. The evening concludes with a dazzling display by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.
For the PNC Headliners concert on July 18, Cincinnati Pops Associate Conductor Steven Reineke is celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest festivals in rock history. Audiences will be encouraged to break out their finest tie-dye as the Pops presents Woodstock: A Flashback, an evening devoted to this amazing event featuring songs by Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Who, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, Jefferson Airplane, and many more with special guests Jeans ‘n Classics and Rik Emmett, former lead singer and guitarist for the rock band Triumph.
The summer season closes with a beloved annual tradition:Erich Kunzel’s Broadway-themed concert with the Cincinnati Pops. This year’s program is a tribute to America’s great songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. The Pops will present an evening chock full of popular classics from The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, South Pacific, The King and I, Carousel, and more on Saturday, August 1.
Joining Maestro Kunzel and the Pops will be three Cincinnati favorites from Broadway; Kathleen Brett, Aaron Lazar and Daniel Narducci, as well as the all-volunteer May Festival Summer Chorus and Cincinnati Children’s Choir.
All four Cincinnati Pops concerts offer a fantastic family entertainment experience. Children 12 and under are admitted free to the lawn for all Pops concerts at Riverbend.
The Cincinnati Pops is also offering an all-new package this summer at Riverbend that includes four lawn admissions (restricted to 7/4, 7/18 and 8/1), four complimentary lawn chair rentals, plus four 32 oz. soft drinks or jumbo pretzels – all for $75.
You can learn more about the summer concert series, the performers, and specials by calling (513) 381-3300 or visiting www.cincinnatipops.org.
