GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 29, 2010 – DeVos Performance Hall will come alive with the sound of music when the Grand Rapids Symphony presents the great-grandchildren of the famous Captain and Maria von Trapp in concert for three performances: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12 and 13, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m.
Sofia, 22, Melanie, 20, Amanda, 18, and Justin von Trapp, 16, will join Associate Conductor John Varineau and the Grand Rapids Symphony for an unforgettable evening of folk songs and classics from a variety of European and American traditions, as well as timeless treasures from “The Sound of Music,” which celebrates its 45th film anniversary this year. The concert is the second of six Fox Motors Pops Series concerts. The concert sponsor is Fifth Third Bank.
“This is a fun opportunity for the whole family to experience great music as conveyed through the talents of one of the world’s most famous musical families,” Varineau said. “One of the most beloved musicals ever, ‘The Sound of Music’ continues to warm the hearts of generations worldwide.
“Of course, the von Trapp great-grandchildren will be singing songs from that iconic musical, but they’ll be doing a lot of other fun music as well. We’re thrilled to share this legacy with our Grand Rapids audiences by welcoming the next generation of von Trapps to the stage of the DeVos Performance Hall.”
Based on Maria von Trapp’s memoir, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” “The Sound of Music” originally opened on Broadway in November 1959 and starred Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel. Later, the Academy Award®-winning film version, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical when it debuted in 1965.
It was also the final collaboration between the well-known American songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The movie was recently re-released in theatres nationwide in celebration of its 45th anniversary.
The Von Trapp Children have played before sellout crowds in some of the world’s most prestigious theaters, including the Sydney Opera House, during a world tour that took them to Europe, Canada, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and the Philippines. The also have six albums and a DVD to their credit. They most recently appeared on “Oprah,” along with the cast of the film version “The Sound of Music,” to commemorate the film’s anniversary.
Tickets for “The Von Trapp Children” start at $18 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800/982-2787, online at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Symphony office or two hours prior to the performance at the concert venue.
WHO: Grand Rapids Symphony and the Von Trapp Children, with Associate Conductor John Varineau.
WHAT: The sound of music comes alive when the Grand Rapids Symphony welcomes the great-grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp. From folk and classical European and American songs to timeless treasures from “The Sound of Music,” the Von Trapp Children are sure to delight and inspire.
WHEN: Three performances. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12 and 13, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 14, 3 p.m.
WHERE: DeVos Performance Hall
TITLE SPONSOR: Fox Motors
CONCERT SPONSOR: Fifth Third Bank
MEDIA PARTNERS: WOOD AM, Star 105.7, GR Now
TICKETS: Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Symphony office, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder), or by calling 616/454-9451, Ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.) Tickets are available at the DeVos Place Box Office, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on the day of the concert two hours prior to the performance. Tickets can also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster, 800/982-2787, at ticketmaster.com, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: Select D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare Stores and Walmart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee.
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