By Candice Hardie, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts

Introducing new audiences to classical music, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts will bring music fans of all generations together this season with “Cross-Over Classical.” Thanks to support from the Knight Arts Challenge, these performances will feature classic rock repertoire with full orchestra, larger-than-life multimedia presentations, and aerial acrobatics, paired with the world-renowned sounds of orchestras such as The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Russian National Orchestra.

“In addition to presenting the beloved classical programming that summers at the Mann are known for, we’re also continuing to bridge genres and generations with what we’re calling Cross-Over Classical,” said Catherine M. Cahill, president and CEO of the Mann.  “Through unexpected and exciting pairings that feature cultural icons, Broadway and television stars and larger-than-life multimedia presentations along with world-renowned orchestras such as The Philadelphia Orchestra, our aim is to broaden audience connections to orchestral music and to the Mann as the place to experience these performances,” she said.

First up this season, on June 28^th, is The Philadelphia Orchestra – Down the Abbey Road- A Symphonic Celebration featuring Joan Osborne, Rodney Crowell and James Nash and the NashVillains. The Orchestra collaborates with Philly native and Grammy-nominee, Don Hart, to transform The Beatles and rock classic, Abbey Road, into a beautiful classical score. 7-time Grammy winner Joan Osborne, Rodney Crowell and James Nash and the NashVillains will enhance the show by bringing their stellar vocals to the performance.

With Down the Abbey Road comes another first for the Mann- a live Tweetcert! Guests will be encouraged to participate in a Tweetcert, an interactive chance for the audience to enjoy real-time fun facts about the music they are hearing. Facts include Beatles information, as well as insights from arranger Don Hart, and will be marked with the hashtag #tweetcert.

Other Cross-Over Classcial performances will include the Russian National Orchestra performing the score to the BBC’s Blue Planet Live! – a video spectacular, with broadcast journalist Jane Pauley as narrator (July 27^th). The Mann will also feature Cirque de la Symphonie, also with the Russian National Orchestra, including a troupe of aerial flyers and acrobats (July 28^th).