Let the music play again: The Philadelphia Orchestra’s first-ever free concert in South Philly will be held as planned, thanks to a few last-minute supporters.
The esteemed Orchestra had planned to perform the concert at Capitolo Playground, near Ninth and Federal streets, on the evening of July 25, but canceled Monday when the anticipated financial support fell through.
Two days later, the concert was back on, courtesy of Jacobs Music Company and the South Philly Review, as well as local pols Councilman Frank DiCicco and state Sen. Vince Fumo. Together, all four have guaranteed the $85,000 needed to produce the local event.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m. July 25, which is a Friday. The Orchestra also plans to offer various outreach events, like musicians at other local playgrounds and community centers for both children and seniors, in conjunction with the performance.
The concert’s program will feature popular Italian arias sung by tenor Stuart Neill. The Orchestra’s assistant conductor, Rossen Milanov, will lead works by Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, Mendelssohn and Sousa, among others.
It’s about time the city’s most famous musical ensemble hit South Philly. The Orchestra’s free Neighborhood Concert series has visited Upper Darby, North Philly, Rittenhouse Square, Northeast Philly, West Philly and even Washington Township, N.J., in the past two years. This summer marks the first time the Orchestra will play for free in these parts.
