Sheena Easton, violinist Midori, 'Toy Story' among Erie Philharmonic's 2022-23 season lineup

Staff report
·6 min read

The Erie Philharmonic looks to build off a successful return to the newly renovated Warner Theatre with the orchestra's first full season of music for the 2022-23 lineup.

Erie Philharmonic Music Director Daniel Meyer, center, leads the orchestra inside the Warner Theatre on Jan. 23. The Erie Phil gave the first public performance in the historic building that underwent $27 million of extensive renovations.
Erie Philharmonic Music Director Daniel Meyer, center, leads the orchestra inside the Warner Theatre on Jan. 23. The Erie Phil gave the first public performance in the historic building that underwent $27 million of extensive renovations.

The diverse symphonic and pops schedule includes 1980s pop icon Sheena Easton, violinist Midori, northwest Pennsylvania native and dynamic organist Cameron Carpenter, along with the unique Troupe Vertigo aerial act and movies "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" and "Toy Story" played along with the Philharmonic.

The Philharmonic attracted more than 4,000 people for the first two performances of the abbreviated 2021-22 season in the updated Warner, 811 State St., according to Executive Director Steve Weiser.

“Erie now has a venue unique in the nation, combining the grandeur of a 1930s movie palace with a state-of-the-art performing arts center," Weiser said in a news release about the renovated Warner. "We definitely have the best audiences in the region, and I’m confident we’ve created a season that will simply blow everyone away."

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Here's a look at the upcoming season:

Sheena Easton will perform radio hits from The Beatles, Simon u0026 Garfunkel and more with the Erie Philharmonic on Oct. 1.
Sheena Easton will perform radio hits from The Beatles, Simon u0026 Garfunkel and more with the Erie Philharmonic on Oct. 1.

'Rock n' Radio'

The season opens with the pops series "Rock n’ Radio with Sheena Easton" on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. The show, from the creators of "Music of the Knights," brings some of radio’s biggest hits to life with the Philharmonic and features legendary pop icon Easton in Erie singing music from The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Bruno Mars, Adele and more. Easton, a Grammy Award-winning artist with more than 20 million records sold worldwide, had hits such as "9 to 5 (Morning Train)," "Strut," "Telefone," "For Your Eyes Only" and more.

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Patrons listen to the Erie Philharmonic inside the Warner Theatre on Jan. 23. Beethoven’s u0022Ode to Joyu0022 opens the Philharmonic's symphonic season for 2022-23 on Oct. 22.
Patrons listen to the Erie Philharmonic inside the Warner Theatre on Jan. 23. Beethoven’s u0022Ode to Joyu0022 opens the Philharmonic's symphonic season for 2022-23 on Oct. 22.

Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'

Erie native and Grammy-winning baritone Mark Steven Doss will take part in the first symphonic series show of the season on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 will be performed along with the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, featuring Doss, soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra and alto Joan Peitscher under the direction of Tom Brooks.

The Philharmonic also will perform María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir's "Oceans."

Darth Vader is shown in a scene from 1980 film u0022Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.u0022 The Erie Philharmonic will perform the score while the movie plays on the big screen at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 5 and 6.
Darth Vader is shown in a scene from 1980 film u0022Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.u0022 The Erie Philharmonic will perform the score while the movie plays on the big screen at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 5 and 6.

'The Empire Strikes Back'

The Philharmonic joins forces with John Williams’ legendary score to perform "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert" on Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. The iconic movie will play on the big screen at the Warner while the orchestra performs the score live both days.

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Northwestern Pennsylvania native Cameron Carpenter will display his skill on the Warner Theatre's new pipe organ on Nov. 12.
Northwestern Pennsylvania native Cameron Carpenter will display his skill on the Warner Theatre's new pipe organ on Nov. 12.

Cameron Carpenter

On Nov. 12 at 8 p.m., northwestern Pennsylvania native and Grammy Award-nominee Carpenter will display his skill on the Warner Theatre's new pipe organ with a rendition of Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings by Frenchman Francis Poulenc.

Originally, Carpenter was scheduled to make a return trip to the region during the 2021-22 season, but the theatre's new pipe organ was not installed in time. Carpenter was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra) for his album "Revolutionary."

Also scheduled for the night, the Philharmonic will perform David Diamond's Symphony No. 4 and Claude Debussy's "La Mer."

On Dec. 3, the Erie Philharmonic will have two shows, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., to celebrate the holiday season at the Warner Theatre.
On Dec. 3, the Erie Philharmonic will have two shows, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., to celebrate the holiday season at the Warner Theatre.

'Come Home for the Holidays'

On Dec. 3, the Philharmonic will have two shows, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., to celebrate the season with "Come Home for the Holidays: A Soulful Christmas."

The orchestra will take on traditional classics, such as "Sleigh Ride," and also perform seasonal hits from Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and more.

Accordionist Hanzhi Wang is featured during the Erie Philharmonic's The Planets symphonic performance on Jan. 28.
Accordionist Hanzhi Wang is featured during the Erie Philharmonic's The Planets symphonic performance on Jan. 28.

The Planets

On Jan. 28 at 8 p.m., the Philharmonic delves into the theme of celestial bodies in the solar system with works from Osvaldo Golijov, Astor Piazzolla and Gustav Holst.

The Planets show features the Philharmonic performing Golijov's "Sidereus" and Piazzolla's "Aconcagua" concerto for bandoneon and orchestra, which includes groundbreaking accordionist Hanzhi Wang. Women from the Erie Philharmonic chorus join in on Holst's "The Planets" suite.

'Toy Story'

Woody, the likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear, the fearless space ranger, will be on the big screen when the Philharmonic performs "Toy Story in Concert" live with the Pixar movie on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 3 p.m.

Violinist Midori is scheduled to play at the Warner Theatre with the Erie Philharmonic on March 25 at 8 p.m.
Violinist Midori is scheduled to play at the Warner Theatre with the Erie Philharmonic on March 25 at 8 p.m.

Midori

One of the most celebrated violinists of all time, Midori Goto, will be performing Robert Schumann's Violin Concerto during the Philharmonic's March 25 show starting at 8 p.m. at the Warner Theatre.

Midori, like Carpenter, was scheduled to perform during the current season. Both had to postpone their performances because of COVID-19-related delays.

“From the moment we had to postpone the performances of Midori and Cameron (Carpenter), we started working behind-the-scenes to ensure we could bring both of them to Erie as soon as possible," Weiser said in a news release.

Also scheduled for the night, the Philharmonic will perform Johann Strauss' "Emperor Waltzes" and Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 3.

Troupe Vertigo

The pops series season ends April 15 with an aerial display in Cirque at the Symphony with Troupe Vertigo, a Los Angeles-based theatrical circus company.

Troupe Vertigo will perform aerial acts and an acrobatic show synchronized with music performed by the Philharmonic. The show begins at 8 p.m.

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Russian Masters

The Philharmonic pays homage to Russian composers in the season-ending symphonic series on May 13 at 8 p.m.

Critically acclaimed pianist Adam Golka is scheduled to perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.

The Philharmonic also will perform Lera Auerbach's "Icarus" and Sergei Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky." The Philharmonic Chorus, featuring mezzo soprano Sarah Mesko, will join the orchestra for the Prokofiev composition.

Still ahead for this season

The performances remaining for the shortened 2021-22 season at Warner Theatre:

Symphonic series:

  • Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 (March 19, 8 p.m.)

  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 (May 14, 8 p.m.)

  • Mahler’s "Resurrection" (June 26, 3 p.m.)

Pops series:

  • "Mary Poppins" Live in Concert (April 9, 8 p.m.; April 10, 3 p.m.)

  • "Star Wars: A New Hope" Live in Concert (April 30, 8 p.m.; May 1, 3 p.m.)

  • Rodgers & Hammerstein in Concert (June 12, 3 p.m.)

Phil schedule: Erie Philharmonic continues its 2022 lineup of live shows

If you go ...

Season passes for the 2022-23 season go on sale March 21, while single tickets for 2022-23 will be available by mid-summer. Single ticket prices range from $23-$60 with student tickets starting at $12. Tickets can be purchased at the Erie Philharmonic's business office at 23 W. 10th St., Suite 3, online at eriephil.org or by calling 814-455-1375.

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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Philharmonic: 2022-23 lineup includes Sheena Easton, 'Toy Story'