Happy Birthday Mozart, from ASU

TEMPE, Ariz. - In honor of the 250 th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Arizona State University officially declares Friday, Jan. 27 "Happy Birthday Mozart Day." The Herberger College School of Music will throw a bash with opera arias, films, lectures, a wind serenade, hors d'oeuvres and birthday cake receptions on the Tempe Campus. All events are free, unless otherwise noted.

"Mozart's influence on the music of western society is hard to overstate," said Wayne Bailey, Director, School of Music. "The beauty of his melodies has spoken to generations for 250 years, and the musicians in the School of Music have felt the impact of Mozart on their own lives."

In honoring one of the world's greatest composers and musicians, School of Music classes will be canceled Jan. 27 so students can participate inMozart 250 @ ASU performances and lectures across campus. The day-long series of events is open to the public and begins at noon in the School of Music building, 40 E. Gammage Pkwy. For a complete schedule of Mozart events through May, 2006, go to http://music.asu.edu/mozart250.  

Mozart 250 @ ASU: Mini-concerts, Jan. 27.

• Noon and 1:30 p.m., Organ Hall: Organ students perform keyboard music by Mozart
• 12:30 and 2 p.m., Evelyn Smith Music Theatre: Lyric Opera Theatre students perform arias from Mozart's best-loved operas.
• 1 and 2:30 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall: The ASU Chamber Orchestra performs the music of Mozart. Concerts include an open rehearsal of the Haffner Symphony and the Titus Overture, led by conductor Timothy Russell.

Mozart 250 @ ASU: Viennese Coffee House & Performances , Jan. 27, 3:30-6:30 p.m., University Club. Students and faculty perform favorite opera arias by Mozart; works for small wind and string ensembles; sonatas for violin and piano; and some of the slightly off-color canons for choir. The Coffee House also includes refreshments and a lecture, "On the road with the Mozarts," by professor Eckart Sellheim. Cost per person: $10, non-refundable. Space is limited. RSVP by Jan. 23 to 480-965-0730, and specify one of two seating options: 3:30-5 p.m. or 5-6:30 p.m. Credit cards only.

Mozart 250 @ ASU: Ingmar Bergmann's Die Zauberfl ö te , Jan. 27, 5 p.m., Recital Hall. This 1975 made-for-television version of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" features the opera that was commissioned as a "people's opera," designed to be performed in the language of the common man, as opposed to the more standard Italian. The fairytale plot highlights a prince in quest of a princess who has been imprisoned by an evil sorcerer.

Mozart 250 @ ASU: "Serenade," Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall. Wayne Bailey, director of the School of Music, conducts faculty and student performers in one of Mozart's masterpieces, the "Gran Partita" wind serenade. A birthday cake reception will follow.

Several other Mozart 250 @ ASU events lead up to the birthday celebration on Jan. 27:

Mozart 250 @ ASU: The Battle of the Music Theory All-Stars.   Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m., Recital Hall. Music theory faculty John Cuciurean and Ellon Carpenter discuss the first movement of the Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183. Dr. Amy Holbrook will moderate.

Mozart 250 @ ASU: Mozart's Keyboard Sonatas, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall. School of Music keyboard faculty members Caio Pagano and Hamilton Tescarollo perform Mozart's keyboard sonatas.

Mozart 250 @ ASU: The St. Lawrence String Quartet. Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall. Free. Tickets required: 480-965-6447.   World-class chamber ensemble, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, ASU's visiting quartet in residence, performs.

Mozart 250 @ ASU presents "Opera from Mozart and an American Contemporary," Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. at the Kerr Cultural Center. The free concert featuring the ASU Chamber Winds conducted by Martin R. Province includes wind arrangements of Mozart's Don Giovanni and selections from Andrew Barton's The Disappointment , America's first opera. Tickets are required: 480-596-2660.

The School of Music in the Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University is ranked 19th in the country and eighth among public institutions by U.S. News & World Report . More than 100 music faculty artists and scholars work with approximately 800 music majors each year in research, performance and scholarly activities. It presents approximately 700 concerts and recitals each season. To learn more about the School of Music, visit http://music.asu.edu .

Media Contact:
Denise Tanguay 
480.965.7144
denise.tanguay@asu.edu