F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E

Queens Symphony Orchestra

presents

Ignite the Flame

part of the Masterworks Concert Series

Constantine Kitsopoulos, Music Director/Conductor

Maria Kitsopoulos, Cellist, New York Philharmonic

Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 7 pm

Queensborough Community College Performing Arts Center

(56^th Avenue & Springfield Blvd., Bayside)

Ignite the flame this Valentine’s Day weekend and join the QSO musicians for an evening of vibrant, passionate music conducted by our new Music Director Constantine Kitsopoulos. This memorable evening will include Stravinsky’s exciting Firebird Suite, Barber’s Overture to “The School for Scandal,” Strauss’ romantic Rosenkavalier Suite, and Tschaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme featuring New York Philharmonic cellist Maria Kitsopoulos, sister of Maestro Kitsopoulos. They will be collaborating together musically in an orchestral setting for the first time, adding a special touch to the evening.

As an added bonus, each full price ticket buyer is entered in a raffle that evening to win a Weekend Getaway Package sponsored by the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel. This package includes: hotel night stay in deluxe suite, dinner & breakfast, champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries and one dozen long-stem roses (must be present to win).

Maestro Constantine Kitsopoulos, in his inaugural season as QSO Music Director, is only the third Music Director in the Queens Symphony’s 54-year history. He previously held posts as Music Director with Les Miserables and Dracula on Broadway. He has conducted classically throughout the United States and internationally, including the Hong Kong Municipal Opera, Detroit Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Madison Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, and Dicapo Opera Theatre. He is the Artistic Director of the Metropolitan Greek Chorale and recently founded the Chatham Opera Company. As Music Director and Principal Conductor of Baz Lurhmann’s Broadway production of Puccini’s La Boheme, The Oakland Tribune stated: “…but the star of this lively version of Puccini’s opera, at least to a classical music

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lover, is conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos.” QSO is delighted to have Maestro Kitsopoulos at the baton. For additional information on our new Music Director, please visit his website at www.kitsopoulos.com.

Cellist Maria Kitsopoulos’ career has been distinguished by a wide variety of solo, orchestral, and contemporary music appearances, in addition to scholarships and professional awards. Ms. Kitsopoulos has been a member of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra since the 1997-1998 season, and has appeared as a soloist with the Continuum Ensemble in Alice Tully Hall, Pheonix Symphony, Westfield Symphony, and the Graz Orchestra. Miss Kitsopoulos regularly performs with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of Saint Luke’s and the New York Chamber Symphony. As a member of the cello ensemble CELLO, she has toured throughout North America, including Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Merkin Hall. An active performer of contemporary music, she regularly collaborates with groups such as the Continuum Ensemble, Guild of Composers, Music Mobiles, and Paris-based Ensemble Intercontemporain. Scholarships and awards have included finalist in the first Emannuel Fuermann Cello Competition, prize winner in The National Society of Arts and Letters Cello Competition, fellowships from both Aspen and Tanglewood Music Festivals, and the outstanding leadership award from The Julliard School, from which she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Ms. Kitsopoulos now serves on the faculty at The Julliard School and is a candidate for The Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree. For more information on this artist visit www.nyphil.org or www.propiano.com.

Now in its 54^th season as the only professional orchestra in Queens, QSO continues its mission of bringing the best in classical, chamber, pops, and arts-in-education to the residents of this international borough. For further information about QSO and its programs, please visit www.queenssymphony.org.

Ticket prices: Adults $25 (orchestra) / $20 (balcony); Students/Seniors $18.50; Children (12 & under) $10; Groups of 10 or more: 20% off. Concert tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the QSO office at 718-326-4455, ext. 20.

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70-31 84^th Street, Bldg. 38 Glendale, NY 11385

(718) 326-4455 (718) 326-4499 fax

qso@queenssymphony.org www.queenssymphony.org

Lynda Herndon David Katz Constantine Kitsopoulos Herbert M. Chain

Executive Director Founder (1924-1987) Music Director Board President