Contact:Gretchen Miller Basso
Public Relations Director
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Phone: 407/896-6700 x 223
Fax: 407/896-5512
gmiller@orlandophil.org
www.orlandophil.org
(Orlando, FL – June 17, 2010) – The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to announce that it was chosen by Universal Orlando to be a featured performer at the Grand Opening VIP event for the park’s newest attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Orlando Philharmonic performed numerous selections from the famous Harry Potter movies including The Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone, under the baton of famed composer and conductor John Williams. The invitation-only event took place on Wednesday, June 16 at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure.
In attendance was J.K. Rowling, the author of the famed Harry Potter Series, along with actors from the Harry Potter movies including Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), James Phelps and Oliver Phelps (George and Fred Weasley) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley).
The musicians of the Orlando Philharmonic were honored to perform under the leadership of Maestro Williams. In a career that spans six decades, Williams has composed many of the most famous film scores in Hollywood history, including Star Wars, Superman, Home Alone, the first three Harry Potter movies and all but two of Steven Spielberg‘s feature films including the Indiana Jones series, Schindler’s List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park and Jaws. He also composed the soundtrack for the hit 1960s television series Lost in Space as well as the fanfare of the DreamWorks Pictures’ logo.
Williams has composed theme music for four Olympic Games, the NBC Nightly News, the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, and numerous television series and concert pieces. He served as the principal conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra from 1980 to 1993, and is now the orchestra’s laureate conductor.
Williams has been nominated for 45 Academy Awards and won five. He has also won four Golden Globe Awards, seven BAFTA Awards and 21 Grammy Awards. With 45 Academy Award nominations, Williams is, together with composer Alfred Newman, the second most nominated person after Walt Disney. He was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in 2000, and was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004.
“It was an honor and a privilege for the Orlando Philharmonic to be invited to perform at an event of this significance,” says David Schillhammer, Executive Director. “This collaboration not only showcased our talented musicians on an international level, but it highlighted the wonderful arts organizations that Central Florida has to offer. We applaud Universal Orlando’s commitment to community and support of the arts.”
Ray Stines, Director, Entertainment Events at Universal Orlando, says, “Universal Orlando was proud to include the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for its VIP opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. As Universal Orlando is located in Central Florida, it was a natural to include our local orchestra in this magnificent opening. Add to the fact that the orchestra has the honor of performing with John Williams, it makes for a wonderful partnership. Universal Orlando is committed to helping Orlando thrive as a community, and supporting our local orchestra is a major component of that effort.”
About the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is Central Florida’s resident professional 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 18th anniversary in the 2010-2011 season. For more information on the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, visit www.OrlandoPhil.org.
