By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson
This summer, two outdoor concerts at Eagle Island State Park, Picnic at the Pops, make for a memorable musical outing with family and friends. On Saturday, August 23rd, Music Director Robert Franz will lead the Boise Philharmonic in music from family movies such as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Hook. On Friday, August 29th, you’ll want to salute the Boise Philharmonic as they perform Patriotic Pops including Stars & Stripes Forever, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and the Armed Forces Salute. Gates open at 6 pm with the concerts beginning at 8pm. Enjoy a wonderful musical evening in Idaho’s great outdoors. If you don’t want to bring your own picnic, there will be food being sold from a variety of vendors at each event. Each concert is priced at $20 for general admission lawn seating, where you bring your own blanket or low back chair, or $35 if you want a chair provided for you. Tickets for children 12 and under are only $5, but they are lawn seating only. Reserved tables for four, six, or eight people range from $250-$500. If you want to attend both concerts you can save money by purchasing a series subscription, which is $35 for general admission lawn seating, $10 for children, or $60 for chair seating. This event has sold out fast the past 2 years, so be sure to call soon to reserve tickets.
Subscription tickets are also available for the 2014-2015 Boise Philharmonic Season. The season opens on September 26th, with Robert Franz leading the Boise Philharmonic in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, Schumann’s second symphony, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1, featuring world-renowned pianist Anne-Marie McDermott. The eight concert season continues throughout the year, concluding with Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet on April 18, 2015. The season grand finale showcases the Boise Philharmonic, BP Master Chorale, and both the College of Idaho and BSU Choruses. With a theme of “Expect the Unexpected,” this season has something for everyone including saxophone, timpani, and the addition of often requested pieces by Beethoven and Rachmaninov.
Single tickets for the concerts go on sale August 1. Call (208) 344-7849 or go to www.boisephilharmonic.org to order tickets.
