by Doug Dreisbach | Mar 4, 2024 | FRONT PAGE, interviews, KENTUCKY CENTER PRESENTS, Kentucky Performing Arts, LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA, PNC BROADWAY IN LOUISVILLE
The Kentucky Center opened in November of 1983 under the direction of Gov. John Y. Brown and a combined project budget from the state as well as local donors. Brown was quoted as saying there hasn’t been a more productive investment by the state than that of the arts center. He might be correct!
Over the years, The Kentucky Center has been the anchor for the arts and home to the major productions of Broadway in Louisville, the magical concerts of the Louisville Orchestra, the elegance of the Louisville Ballet and some of the biggest names in music, comedy, and entertainment. The Kentucky Center has hosted world leaders, presidential debates, and town halls on its stages. For 40 years, the flagship venue has proven to have been a great investment for the community, the city of Louisville and the entire commonwealth.
Looking back over the years, memories were made that will last a lifetime. We caught up with some friends of The Kentucky Center to find out what they love about the venue, as well as some of their favorite memories.
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by Doug Dreisbach | Apr 19, 2022 | FRONT PAGE, LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA
Highlights include world premiere works by the new Creators Corps, Beethoven’s Fifth, and a performance by Broadway star KELLI O’HARA
Now in its ninth season under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of Music Director Teddy Abrams, the Louisville Orchestra is proud to announce a season of creativity in 2022-23. Highlights of the season include new works by composers from the newly launched Creators Corps, the eighth annual Festival of American Music featuring works by the American cultural hero Leonard Bernstein, premieres and commissioned works by important voices of today’s composers including the 2021 Grawemeyer Award-winning composer Olga Neuwirth, acclaimed composers Joel Thompson, Thomas Adés, Mason Bates and Christopher Cerrone. Teddy Abrams performs as pianist and conductor for Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto in a program where he also conducts Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, plus performances by Avery Fisher Career Grant winner Tessa Lark and a long-awaited return to the stage of the momentous Symphony No. 7 by Anton Bruckner will engage the classical music lovers of Louisville. Headlining the Pops Series is Grammy Award-winning Broadway and Hollywood star Kelli O’Hara. Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt has lined up a season packed with entertainment including vintage films with some of the finest music scores are on display; the exceptional voice of Capathia Jenkins in “Aretha: A Tribute,” and the Emmy-Award winning vocal group Three Texas Tenors who have amassed a huge fan base worldwide.
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by Doug Dreisbach | Jan 11, 2022 | FRONT PAGE, LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA
Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt will celebrate his 40th season as part of the Louisville Orchestra with Irresistible John Williams on January 15. In this performance, Bernhardt selects his favorite musical hits from the iconic composer for an evening of the most memorable compositions in American film history.
Audiences can look forward to hearing beloved classics that have enchanted generations of listeners, including scores from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars. Even Harry Potter is expected to make an appearance (musically, of course).
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by Doug Dreisbach | Oct 14, 2021 | FRONT PAGE, LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA
The time if finally here for what is surely the most anticipated season in recent memory for the Louisville Orchestra. Like many Orchestras and entertainment groups around the world, the Louisville Orchestra also had to endure the grueling hiatus from performing for almost twenty months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are ready to get back on stage for their patrons, and the community. Once again, Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts will be filled with the majestic symphonic sounds by YOUR Louisville Orchestra musicians and conducted by Bob Bernhardt and Teddy Abrams, and everyone is ready for the season debut.
Audience is excited to offer previews of each performance this season to give you some background for each performance as well as insight into what ot expect and what to look for when you attend. Find more articles in Audience Magazine, our digital monthly magazine dedicated to the arts and entertainment in Louisville. CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE.
We hope you enjoy the previews written by local arts aficionado, Julie Engelhardt.
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by Doug Dreisbach | Jun 1, 2021 | FRONT PAGE, LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA
The Louisville Orchestra recently announced its return to live and in-person performances with a stellar season of fan favorites, as well as some creative collaborations that will have audiences applauding with roars of ovation.
Pops Series conductor, Bob Bernhardt, is entering his 40th season with the Louisville Orchestra and is ready to feel the energy of a live audience. We are fortunate to have such great leadership and talent with his wealth of knowledge garnered over decades of musical collaborations with various symphonies around the country. He is not only a staple with the Louisville Orchestra, but also works with the Grand Rapids Symphony in Michigan, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and is an Artist-in-Residence at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Audience publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with the busy conductor to talk about LO’s return to Whitney Hall, his musical influences of John Williams and a snapshot of the season ahead.
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