FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Lari Robling
larirob@gmail.com
215 978 6933
LYRIC FEST PRESENTS HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRVING BERLIN
Happy Hour mini-concert toasts this song-writing genius
PHILADELPHIA, PA – April, 2017
Born Israel Isidore Baline in 1888 in Tyumen, Russia, Irving Berlin became the Jewish immigrant who penned popular standards including God Bless America, White Christmas and Easter Parade. He died in 1989 at 101 having written an astonishing 1,500 songs. On the 129th anniversary of his birth, Thursday, May 11, at the Academy of Vocal Arts, Lyric Fest raises their voices and a glass in celebration of this song-writing giant.
Artistic Director Suzanne DuPlantis said, “Berlin was the tempo of our times over two world wars and the heyday of Broadway musicals and movies. His songs were covered by stars as diverse as Kate Smith, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, and Aretha Franklin. We are excited to sing his songs and talk about his extraordinary life and contributions.”
Happy Hour mini-concerts have become synonymous with Lyric Fest and offer a week-day opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine and a nosh, hear a shorter concert, and still have time to commute home from work or make a dinner reservation.
Happy Birthday Irving Berlin features Suzanne DuPlantis, Mezzo Soprano; Randall Scarlata, Baritone; and Harold Evans at the piano performing a mix of favorites and lesser known works. The repertoire includes popular standards such as the energetic Puttin’ on the Ritz as well as discovering the melodic memories of Russian Lullaby. For those who love a good regret there’s What’ll I Do as well as the cheeky love lost You Can Have Him.
Lyric Fest offers reasonable and affordable season subscriptions as well as single tickets online https://lyricfest.org/tickets/ and at the box office.
About Lyric Fest
“Compulsively enterprising…” (David Patrick Stearns, Philadelphia Inquirer)
Lyric Fest was founded in January 2003 as a 501 c.3 and is currently led by two of its founders, Artistic Directors Suzanne DuPlantis and Laura Ward. Dedicated exclusively to the voice recital, Lyric Fest occupies a singular place in the Philadelphia artscape and expands the definition of the song recital by jointly featuring regional and internationally recognized artists. Together they produce a happening that is more than just a concert of songs. The mission of Lyric Fest is “to bring people together through the shared experience of song by offering to diverse audiences lively, theme-oriented voice recitals designed to edify, educate, stimulate dialogue, and foster community.”
# # #