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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT:    Cassie Jacoby
(Twitter: @CassieJacoby)                                                           cjacoby@boktower.org

October 20, 2011                                                            863-734-1210 or 863-206-6759

Who:               Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

What:             10th Annual Sunset & Symphony Fall Concert

When:             November 5 at 6 p.m.

Where:            Bok Tower Gardens

    Bok Tower Gardens Sunset & Symphony Fall Concert November 5 at 6 p.m. 

Lake Wales, Fla. – Tickets are on sale for Bok Tower Gardens’ 10th annual Sunset & Symphony concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, November 5 at 6 p.m. Guest conductor Dirk Meyer will lead the orchestra.

One of Central Florida’s most popular events celebrating the beginning of fall, guests are invited to bring elaborate picnics to experience a magical evening as the sun sets atop Iron Mountain. Flambeaux will illuminate the Olmsted-designed pathways leading up to the 205-foot Singing Tower housing one of the world’s great carillons.

New this year, a pre-show at 4:30 p.m. will feature the contemporary world-beat percussion ensemble, ZEROtaiko. “Taiko” is one of the most artistic forms of percussion that dates back centuries in Japan with ceremonial drumming used in the battlefield and farming as well as celebrations of life and death.

With this year’s theme, “Around the World,” children dressed as pirates will be invited to help conduct the Orlando Philharmonic’s performance of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Other selections include “Brazil;” “Hungarian Dance No. 5,” by Brahms; “Young Prince and Princess from Scheherazade” by Rimsky-Korsakov; “Can-Can” by Offenbach; Hermann’s “Italian Fiesta;” “Irish Tune from County Derry;” and Gershwin’s “American in Paris Suite.” Guest tenor Fernando Varela will perform “Questa e quella” by Verdi and “O Sole Mio” by Capua. Patriotic favorites include “From Sea to Shining Sea” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”  Popular tenor Fernando Varela will perform along with the Philharmonic on several selections.

Concert tickets will include general Gardens’ admission so guests may enter anytime during the day for picnics. Event gates open at 3:30 p.m. to set up picnics on the Great Lawn. The Instrument Petting Zoo will begin at 4:30 p.m. Located on the Olmsted House lawn, families can try their hands at a variety of instruments with the help of Orlando Philharmonic musicians.

The popular picnic contest will award prizes for Most Elegant, Most Original and Best Fall. Judging will take place at 5:30 p.m. and winners will be announced during intermission. Pre-ordered boxed picnic selections are available from the Blue Palmetto Café with food and beverages available for sale at the Hilltop Café concession from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. The Gift Shop and Visitor Center will remain open until after the concert. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, insect repellent and flashlights. Handicapped parking and shuttle service will be available.

Tickets are $20 for the general public with a 10 percent discount for members. Day of concert ticket prices are $25 for the general public and members. Children ages 5 to 12 are $8; day of tickets $10; under 5 are admitted free. Group discounts are available. Tickets may be purchased at the Gardens (863-734-1222), Citizens Bank & Trust or Chambers of Commerce in Bartow, Haines City, Lake Wales, Lakeland and Winter Haven. The event is underwritten in part by Citizens Bank & Trust, Lake Wales Medical Center, Ledger Media Group, Republic Services, WEDU and WUSF.

Visit www.boktowergardens.org to purchase tickets online OR for more information call the Orlando Philharmonic at (407) 770-0071 or Bok Tower Gardens at  (863) 676-1408.

About Bok Tower Gardens:
Voted Florida’s best garden, Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark located 10 miles from LEGOLAND Florida, 55 miles southwest of Orlando and 60 miles east of Tampa near Lake Wales in Central Florida’s rolling hills of citrus. Open every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., last admission is 5 p.m. The Visitor Center, Café and Gift Shop are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Members and children under 5 are admitted free. LEGOLAND ticket holders will receive free admission for children. For more information contact Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales FL 33853; 863-676-1408 or visit www.boktowergardens.org

About Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra:

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is Central Florida’s resident orchestra, appearing in more than 125 performances each season. The Philharmonic‘s mission is to foster and promote symphonic music through excellence in performance, education and cultural leadership. The Orlando Philharmonic proudly enters its 19th anniversary in the 2011-2012 season. For information about the orchestra’s concert season, visit www.OrlandoPhil.org

About Fernando Varela:

Fernando Varela was weaned on the music of Michael Jackson; but, as a little boy of three growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando entertained his family and friends with endless versions of Jackson’s songs. When he was eight years old, Fernando and his parents, Julio and Margarita, relocated to Central Florida, and while he loved music, he neither trained as a singer nor aspired to be one until he was well into his teenage years.

In the fall of 2004, Fernando joined the Resident Artist Program with the Palm Beach Opera and covered the role of Rodolfo in La Boheme. It was in Palm Beach that Fernando met two people who drastically changed his career. The first was world-renowned voice instructor Cesar Ulloa, with whom he was able to fine-tune his technique. The second was one of the greatest tenors of all time, Maestro Placido Domingo. Fernando was able to work for his operatic idol at Palm Beach Opera’s Gala on February 27, 2005.

Fernando’s global performances span more than 24 countries in which he has won critical acclaim. Puerto Rico’s leading newspaper, El Nuevo Dia summed it up by saying: “Fernando Varela: A Puerto Rican Pavarotti.” In 2006, Fernando was invited to coach with Maestro Giancarlo Chiaramello, conductor for the late Luciano Pavarotti in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The Maestro said to Fernando, “I have heard very few voices like yours.”

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