Simone, Hal Linden, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Headline New Spotlight Series at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center

The Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (AU PAC) has announced the launch of two newly designed guest artist series, the “Spotlight” and the “Masters,” for the 2011-12 Season starting in September. This will be the fourth season since the AU PAC opened its impressive state-of-the-art five venue brick and glass complex in 2008, and the second season offering a guest artist program.

According to Assistant Dean and AU PAC Executive Director William Prenevost, “We are blessed here at Adelphi with what is no doubt the finest concert hall on Long Island. Its acoustics are nearly perfect, and it has a visual splendor to it. With a performance space like this, it’s much easier to attract stellar performers here to the center of Nassau County,” he said.

The “Spotlight” series will offer a variety of five concert events including stars from Broadway and television, a Canadian champion tap dancer and fiddler, a world-renowned chamber orchestra, and a major singer-songwriter. The “Masters” series offers six concerts featuring two internationally acclaimed classical music ensembles, both in residence at Adelphi, an award-winning pianist, and a nationally recognized contemporary dance troupe. All “Masters” series artists will also lead master classes at AU PAC.

The “Spotlight” series kicks off on Saturday, September 24 with the Broadway star and recording artist simply known as Simone. Her impressive resume includes starring roles on Broadway in the musical Aida and the national touring production of RENT. As a singer, songwriter, and performer, Simone transcends genres while echoing the blues and jazz tradition of her mother, music icon and pioneer Nina Simone. Her diverse repertoire and electrifying style has dazzled audiences at venues throughout the world including the Sydney Opera House, the Montreaux Jazz Festival, and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. This will be her Long Island concert debut.

Actor, singer, and musician Hal Linden’s appearance is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, 2011. He has earned two Emmys and Broadway’s highest accolade, the Tony. He won the 1971 Tony award for his role in “The Rothschilds.” His title role on the popular “Barney Miller” (1975) sitcom earned him Emmy nominations every year the program aired.  Recently, he’s appeared on TV Land’s series “Hot in Cleveland” with Betty White. This month, Hal Linden releases his first CD “It’s Never Too Late.” His entertaining variety show features Mr. Linden singing Broadway show-stopper songs (he’s performed in over 20 Broadway shows), a set of Benny Goodman jazz favorites (he’s a classically trained clarinetist), and he tells jokes along the way.

Stephanie Cadman & Celtic Blaze will play on Saturday, March 3, 2012. Ms. Cadman is a triple-threat performing artist—she sings, plays a furious fiddle, and she’s a world-champion tap dancer. Her show features Celtic music and dance through the bright prism of Ms. Cadman’s Canadian heritage, uniquely blending her vast experience featuring Ottawa Valley-style Celtic step-dancing, along with her classical and Celtic fiddle-playing. Stephanie Cadman is a founding member of the hit dance show The StepCrew, and is also one of Canada’s top violinists featured in the production of Bowfire. Audiences throughout North America, Asia, and even Canadian troops overseas have been captivated by her multiple talents and joyfully uplifting performances.

The finale of the new AU PAC “Spotlight” series will be the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on stage on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Based in New York City at Carnegie Hall, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is one of the world’s most respected chamber orchestra ensembles. The orchestra is known for its collaborative leadership style, in which the musicians, not a conductor, interpret the score, creating a special esprit de corps in performance. The program will feature violin soloist Vivian Hagner performing Beethoven’sRomance No. 2 for Violin and Vieuxtemp’s Concerto for Violin, No. 5, in A minor Op 37. 

Several popular singer/songwriters are under consideration for the fifth concert of the “Spotlight” Series. An announcement of this artist and a concert date will be made soon.

The “Masters” series kicks off with the Jupiter String Quartet on Friday, September 23, 2011. Formed in 2001, the Boston-based Jupiter String Quartet has built a national and international reputation for its dynamic performances. “This gifted and youngish foursome presented an ambitious program,” said theWashington Post, “and brought them off superbly.” The Kansas City Star said “they played as if they were on fire, with passion and energy galore.” This will be the fourth year that violinists Nelson Lee and Megan Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel, and cellist Daniel McDonough will perform two concerts and conduct master classes. The programs for this concert, and another on Saturday, April 14, 2012, will be announced at a later date.

Trio Solisti will play on the Concert Hall stage on Saturday, October 15, 2011. These three critically acclaimed musicians—Maria Bachmann, violin; Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello; and Jon Klibonoff, piano—will also be in residence at Adelphi for student training. Trio Solisti has earned a reputation for soulful and passionate performances marked by virtuosity, seamless ensemble playing, and thrilling abandon. Performing a broad spectrum of styles, their versatility extends to new music, most notably to the work of Adelphi’s Paul Moravec, who composed his 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning work, Tempest Fantasy, for them. The programs for this concert and a second on Saturday, February 11, 2012, are to be announced in the future.

Multi-award-winning Russia-born pianist Vassily Primakov makes his AU PAC debut on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Vassily Primakov has been hailed as a pianist of world class importance. Gramophone wrote that “Primakov’s empathy with Chopin’s spirit could hardly be more complete,” and the American Record Guide stated: “In Chopin, no one currently playing and recording sounds as good as this. This is a great Chopin pianist.” His recording of Mozart concertos released last summer has won rave reviews including a “Grade A” from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Over the last three decades, one troupe has reigned over Chicago’s dance scene growing its reputation beyond the Midwest to points around the world—the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. As the finale in the AU PAC “Masters” series Hubbard Street 2 (HS2), will bring the distinct Hubbard Street style of contemporary dance to Long Island. This national and international touring troupe notorious for their athleticism and fearless dancing will perform twice, Saturday, April 14 and Sunday April 15, 2012. HS2’s six talented professional dancers also will be in residence for a master class with Adelphi dance majors.

Tickets for the “Spotlight” series are $35 and $45; and for the “Masters” series $25 and $35 with discounts for students, seniors, and subscribers. Three-event subscribers will save 10%, while five-event subscribers will save 30%. However, early-bird subscribers, those who sign up by May 31, will receive an additional 10% on top of the already existing subscription discount bringing their savings up to 40% off the full ticket price for this limited time. Subscribers enjoy additional benefits including priority seats. 

Tickets for single events will go on sale August 30, 2011. The programs, artists, and dates for the AU PAC’s 2011-12 Season are subject to change.

The AU PAC is conveniently located within walking distance from the Nassau Boulevard Station on the Long Island Rail Road and visitors can take advantage of free parking on the Garden City campus of Adelphi University. To order subscriptions, call the AU PAC Box Office at 516.877.4000 or visit the AU PAC website for more information.

The performance seasons for the Adelphi University Departments of Theatre, Music, and Dance will be announced at a later date. The AU PAC has hosted 400 events to an accumulated audience of more than 46,000, since it opened. It is also home to more than 200 students and faculty. The three-fold mission of the AU PAC is to enhance the educational experience of students, to engage and entertain Adelphi’s neighboring Long Island communities, and to provide opportunities for the ongoing development of the performing arts faculty and staff.