Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Knoxville Symphony Pops Orchestra as they present “A Celtic Celebration: Music of the Emerald Isle” at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Knoxville’s Civic Auditorium.
The production will feature a variety of Irish and Celtic musical performances, including the film scores from Braveheart and Titanic, works from the Broadway musicals Brigadoon and Finnian’s Rainbow, and excerpts from Sir Hamilton Harty’s An Irish Symphony and Malcom Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances.
Brian Ososky, director of marketing and communication for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, said the program will feature many traditional Irish favorites, with a broad array of Celtic song and dance, including bagpipes and step dancing. The Irish step dancing, he said, will be similar to that of Riverdance.
The program will display elaborate costuming, theatrical lighting and large, vibrantly colored Celtic tapestries.
“The production has a lot of theatrical staging and a Broadway like feel to it,” Ososky said.
The program will also feature a variety of vocal performances, including tenor Benjamin Brecher, a regular artist with the New York City Opera, and soprano Marta Burton, who specializes in Celtic folk repertoire.
The program’s dramatic scenes present letters between a mother and son, as he journeys from Ireland to America to escape poverty. Broadway actor Joey Collins and the voice of Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Helen Gallagher present the dramatic scenes. The program concludes with an audience sing-along that includes favorites, such as “Sweet Rosie O’Grady,” “Harrigan” and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”
“We’re hoping that people will use this performance as part of their St. Patrick Day celebration,” Ososky said.
Ticket sales are going strong, he said, but many seats are still available. Ticket prices range from $18 to $65, and are based on seating preference. Ososky said a student rush price of $10 can be purchased at the ticket office. To purchase tickets prior to the program, call the Ticket Store at (865) 291-3310 or Tickets Unlimited at (865) 656-4444.
For more information concerning the production, call the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at (865) 523-1178.

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