Oct. 27, 2017
HOUSTON (Oct. 11, 2017) – The Houston Symphony will treat thrill-seeking audiences to a bone-chilling cinematic experience on Halloween weekend with a big-screen showing of American thriller Psycho while the iconic score is performed live by the Houston Symphony.
Featuring one of the most iconic scenes in film history – the infamous shower scene – Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense thriller Psychorevolutionized the horror film genre, leading to critical acclaim and four Academy Award nominations including Best Supporting Actress for Janet Leigh and Best Director for Hitchcock.
Bernard Herrmann’s bone-chilling score and music built around strings creates the perfect suspense and brings the film and scenes frighteningly alive. John Goberman, the creator and producer of film and concert presentations, adds “the screech of the violins is real and the drip of the shower drain going down the double basses make you glad you are just watching. This concert presentation of this great film is a unique experience for both the orchestra and the audience.”
Francesco Lecce-Chong will conduct this special screening on Friday, Oct. 27, at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana Street, in Houston’s Theater District. Due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey on Jones Hall, the Theater District Parking Garage is closed until further notice. For a list of nearby alternatives,visit http://www.houstonsymphony.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Directions-Parking/jones.
For tickets and information, please call (713) 224-7575 or visit www.houstonsymphony.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center in Jones Hall (Monday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). All programs and artists are subject to change.
PSYCHO—FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.
Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
Tickets from $35
About Francesco Lecce-Chong
A captivating presence on the podium, American conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong has garnered acclaim for his dynamic performances, commitment to innovative programming and passion for community engagement. Francesco began his post as music director and conductor of the Eugene Symphony in the 2017-2018 season, following in the path of renowned predecessors Marin Alsop and Giancarlo Guerrero. In addition, he currently holds the positions of associate conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. Active as a guest conductor, he has appeared with orchestras around the world, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony and Hong Kong Philharmonic.
Also trained as a pianist and composer, Francesco champions the work of new composers and the need for arts education. As associate conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) from 2011-2015, he curated and presented the works of both active and lesser-known composers, including two works commissioned by the orchestra and two U.S. premieres. He also helped create the first MSO Composer Institute, providing performance opportunities for young American composers. Francesco has complemented his programming with a strong commitment to arts education for all ages. In Milwaukee, he provided artistic leadership for the MSO’s nationally lauded Arts in Community Education program—one of the largest arts integration programs in the country. His dedication to connecting orchestras and communities continues in Pittsburgh where he gives preconcert talks, conducts concerts for school audiences and leads specially designed sensory-friendly performances.
Francesco is a native of Boulder, Colorado, where he began conducting at age 16. He is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music and Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Otto-Werner Mueller. He has worked with many internationally celebrated conductors, including Bernard Haitink, David Zinman, Edo de Waart and Manfred Honeck.
About the Houston Symphony
During the 2017-18 season, the Houston Symphony celebrates its fourth season with Music Director Andrés Orozco- Estrada and continues its second century as one of America’s leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. The Houston Symphony, one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas, held its inaugural performance at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $33.9 million, the full-time ensemble of 88 professional musicians presents nearly 170 concerts annually, making it the largest performing arts organization in Houston. Additionally, musicians of the orchestra and the Symphony’s four Community-Embedded Musicians offer over 900 community-based performances each year, reaching thousands of people in Greater Houston. For tickets and more information, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.