Pennsylvania Philharmonic Runs Away to the Circus

The circus is coming to Phoenixville ... kind of.

One of the Pennsylvania Philharmonic's more unique offerings this season is "Cirque de la Symphonie," a combination of acrobatic performers and classical music.

And you start off the New Year with their performance Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Phoenixville Area Middle School.

Tickets are $41 each and can be purchased on-line at http://www.paphilharmonic.org/ or by calling 610-401-3650.

Live in front of a full symphony orchestra, internationally-acclaimed Cirque de la Symphonie performers including a cast of jugglers, contortionists, strongmen, and others that will dazzle the audience.

 It was hailed by the Cincinnati Enquirer as a "crowd-pleasing hybrid of circus and fine art."

But it won't by the symphony's only performance in Phoenixville this season; or in Pottstown for that matter. 

On Sunday Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. the Pennsylvania Philharmonic will perform "Four Season of Vivaldi and Piazzolla," with Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim performing as soloist and interpreting the iconic works of Vivaldi and Tango master Astor Piazzolla.

This performance will also be at Phoenixville Area Middle School.

On Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m., the Philharmonic's movie soundtrack show, "Symphonic Soundtracks," will come to Pottstown High School. 

From the opening notes of Strauss’ Sprach Zarathustra from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries from Apocalypse Now to Offenbach’s Can-can from Orpheus in The Underworld from Titanic and Moulin Rouge or Barber’s Adagio for Strings from Platoon, music makes great movies unforgettable. Music Director and Conductor Michael Butterman will share with you some of the most poignant, rousing and memorable selections from your all-time favorite feature films.

And on Friday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. the Philharmonic's final performance of the season, "Beethoven Masterworks," will be performed at Pottstown High School.

Michael Butterman leads the Philharmonic in three of Beethoven’s finest compositions. Exuberant, powerful and triumphant only start to describe Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Pianist Lura Johnson along with the Pennsylvania Philharmonic Chorus under the direction of Dr. William Wright brings the brilliant Choral Fantasy to life. The exhilarating masterwork Egmont Overture opens the program.

The Symphony also offers a "Flex Pass" ticketing system.

With Flex Pass, you choose the venue and the performance. They send your Flex Passes in the mail, and you can decide how to use them right up until the day of the concert.

For example: With Flex Pass 6, a party of six can attend one concert, or three people can enjoy any two performances throughout the upcoming season. Flex Pass 4 gives you four passes for just $152.00, and provides preferred seating to two music lovers at two concerts OR, four people can choose any ONE of our concerts. You choose the venue! Flex Pass 4 holders will also have exclusive access to a Meet-the-Maestro reception with Music Director Michael Butterman. (Exact dates and locations to be determined -- watch your email for details.)

Prices are $152 for Flex Pass 4; $216 for Flex Pass 6; $272 for Flex Pass 8 or $320 for Flex Pass 10.

Visit the Symphony web site for details.