Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2001
Release #183-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel/ Lynn Rasic
212-788-2958
  Josh Getzler (718) 720-9265 ext. 217 (SI Yankees)


MAYOR GIULIANI AND THE STATEN ISLAND YANKEES
ANNOUNCE A SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT RICHMOND COUNTY BANK BALLPARK


Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that the Amor Artis Chorus and Orchestra, under the direction of Johannes Somary, will perform Handel's "Royal Fireworks Music" this summer at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Staten Island, the new home of the Staten Island Yankees. The Mayor also announced that he will be participate in the music festivities when he takes the stage to conduct the Anvil Chorus from Verdi's Il Trovatore.

Joining the Mayor for the announcement were Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari, Stan and Josh Getzler, owners of the Staten Island Yankees, Maestro Johannes Somary, and members of the doo-wop groups also performing at the ballpark later this season.

This historic concert, the first of a series of performances hosted by the Staten Island Yankees, will be set to live fireworks against the panoramic backdrop of lower Manhattan on July 25th at 7:30 P.M. (Rain date is scheduled for July 27th). Handel's famous Royal Fireworks Music has not been performed in its original instrumentation to live, choreographed fireworks since it was composed in 1749. The performance will feature an orchestra and chorus of more than 100 members. Other compositions to be performed that evening include choruses from operas by Bizet, Verdi and Wagner, orchestral music with familiar melodies by Vivaldi, Haydn, Mozart, Sousa, Strauss and others. Among the more familiar selections will be a movement from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the Bridal Chorus from Wagner's Lohengrin, Sousa's March El Capitan and the beloved Pachaelbel's Canon.

"Over the years, New Yorkers have enjoyed outdoor concerts, but never in a setting as dramatic as the new ballpark in St. George with the breathtaking backdrop of lower Manhattan," Mayor Giuliani said. "The new stadium will feature the opening of two seasons in Staten Island, one for baseball and one for music -- two of my favorite passions. I want to thank the Staten Island Yankees for sponsoring the concerts which will bring new vitality to the St. George section of Staten Island."

Later in the season, the concert series will also feature a doo-wop show on September 22nd. The pop show will feature three acts: Little Anthony and the Imperials, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, and The New Rascals.

Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari said, "Not only will residents of Staten Island and all of New York City be able to enjoy a day at the ballpark with our champion Staten Island Yankees, they will be able to celebrate arts and culture at the new stadium as well. We promised when the stadium was built that a concerted effort would be made to provide family entertainment at the site, and I think with this announcement, we have begun to fulfill that mission."

"The Staten Island Yankees are delighted to bring New Yorkers world class entertainment in the form of a summer concert series," said S.I. Yankees COO Joshua Getzler. "This is a cultural festival where fans of both music and baseball can enjoy their favorite pastimes."

Conductor Johannes Somary said, "Amor Artis Chorus and Orchestra is proud to be a part of this historic New York City event. Handel's Royal Fireworks Music was written for outdoor performance, and I can think of no greater venue to perform it than the spectacular new stadium in Staten Island. Mayor Giuliani should be congratulated for creating an arena that allows the City to stage musical events of this magnitude."

Amor Artis is a distinctive chorus and orchestra, featuring dynamically balanced programs of well-known favorites together with important works rarely heard or seen. The ensemble has achieved considerable recognition internationally through its many concerts and extensive discography, encompassing more than forty recordings. Now in his thirty-ninth season as Music Director and Founder of Amor Artis, Maestro Johannes Somary has conducted such ensembles as the English Chamber Orchestra, New Orleans Symphony and London's Royal Philharmonic. He has participated in international festivals including those in Sion, Dubrovnik, Madeira, Israel and Greece. Maestro Somary's discography includes over fifty recordings, including four Stereo Review Record-of-the-Year Awards.

Concert tickets will go on sale beginning Saturday, June 30th at 10 AM. Tickets, ranging in price from $15 to $25, may be purchased through the Staten Island Yankee box office, by phone (718-720-YANK or 718-720-9265), or on the web at www.siyanks.com.

The construction of the new 6,700-seat Richmond County Bank Ballpark is a great step toward revitalizing the St. George area of Staten Island. The Staten Island Yankees finished their second season last year by clinching the New York Penn-League championship. Previous alumni of the Yankees' New York-Penn League affiliate include Don Mattingly, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettite, Jorge Posada, and even the former Denver Broncos quarterback, John Elway. This year's home opener will be played on Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 7:30 PM.

For more information on the Staten Island Yankees, please visit the official website of the 2001 Staten Island Yankees at www.siyanks.com.


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