Press Releases

Father Alphonse Stephenson Conducts The Orchestra of St. Peter By the Sea Presenting Rossini's William Tell Overture,' von Suppe's 'Poet and Peasant' and More

EVENT INFORMATION
What:
Greatest Hits of the 1800s (Algonquin Arts Theatre Orchestra Series)

Who:
The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea conducted by Father Alphonse Stephenson

Date & Time:
Sunday, April 28 � 3 p.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets:
Premium - Adults: $48, Seniors: $46, Students: $35
Regular - Adults: $42, Seniors: $40, Students: $30
Algonquin Arts Box Office: 732-528-9211 or algonquinarts.org
All tickets subject to $2 processing fee.

MANASQUAN, N.J. (April 19, 2013) � Great composers from the 19th century including Franz von Suppé, Gioachino Rossini and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be featured as Father Alphonse Stephenson conducts the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea in "Greatest Hits of the 1800s" on Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m.

The concert concludes the Algonquin Arts Theatre's popular 2012-13 Orchestra Series sponsored by Novy & Associates.

Seats at both price levels are still available for April 28 online at algonquinarts.org or from the Algonquin Arts Theatre Box Office by calling 732-528-9211. Golden Circle seating is $48 for adults, $46 for seniors and $35 for students, with regular seating $42, $40 and $30, respectively. All tickets are subject to $2 processing fee.

One of the best recognized pieces to be presented is Rossini's "William Tell Overture" � familiar as "The Lone Ranger" theme and from various cartoons and television commercials through the decades. Rossini composed the overture as the introduction of the opera of the same name that debuted in 1829 � the last of 39 operas by the great composer. The piece has been arranged and performed by other greats including Franz Liszt and Louis Gottschalk.

Another famous overture, "Poet and Peasant" from von Suppé, introduced the popular operetta of the same name. One of von Suppé's earliest works � composed when he was just 27 years old � includes influences from Rossini including repeating melodies and a powerful close. "Poet and Peasant" debuted in Vienna in August of 1846 and each movement is recognizable from use on screen and in influence of other popular music.

Later in the 19th century, Tchaikovsky (who lived from 1840 to 1893) became the first Russian to make a lasting mark in international music. The lineup will include a celebration of Tchaikovky, who composed a number of famous ballets including "The Nutcracker" and dozens of major works including the "1812 Overture," "Romeo & Juliet" and "Marche Slave."

In all, the two hour concert will include these famous works and more in the intimate Algonquin Arts Theatre.

Father Stephenson, a beloved maestro and founder the Festival of the Atlantic in Pt. Pleasant Beach, served as the music director and conductor of Michael Bennett's smash hit, A Chorus Line, for more than 3,000 performances. Ordained a Catholic priest by the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., in 1975, last year he was promoted to Brigadier General and serves as a Chaplain and the Air National Guard Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon.

He returns to the Algonquin on May 25 for a benefit "Father Alphonse, Friends and a Giant Piano" to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Cecelia Foundation, which Father Stephenson founded to provide musical instruments to promising young students throughout New Jersey. Tickets are available now through the Algonquin Box Office at 732-528-9211 and online at algonquinarts.org.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre:
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman and remembering Marialana and her love for children and the arts.