‘Rocktopia’ will kick off the 2012-13 season

youngstown symphony orchestra

Staff report

youngstown

The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will open the season Saturday with “Rocktopia” at Powers Auditorium.

“Rocktopia,” which merges rock and classical music in one concert, will be led by YSO Music Director and Conductor Randall Craig Fleischer, with Rob Evan, a singer with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the Darren Thomas Gospel Choir.

“Rocktopia” also includes Broadway vocalists Morgan James, Tony Vincent, Mandy Gonzalez and Carrie Manolakos, as well as the Rocktopia Band.

The event will include musical selections from Foreigner, Elton John, Handel, Aaron Copeland, Yes, Bonnie Tyler, The Police, Leonard Cohen, Bon Jovi, Puccini, Heart, Pink Floyd, Jimmy Hendricks, Strauss, Stravinsky, Led Zeppelin, STYX, The Who, Stephen Sondheim, Mozart, Journey and Air Supply.

“Rocktopia” will be embellished by a video presentation, rock lighting effects and continuous interaction with the audience. The YSO will begin a new series of concerts this season with the inauguration of the Stained Glass Concert Series. The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Strings, under the direction of Fleischer, will appear at the First United Methodist Church, 22 N. Market St., Girard, at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Girard Churches Combined Choir will join the orchestra.

The Stained Glass Concert Series focuses on compositions by Bach and Mozart. Selections to be performed include Air from Orchestra Suite No. 3, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Pachelbel Canon and several selections arranged for strings. The performances are free and open to the public.

Other performances in the Stained Glass series will be at St. Nicholas Church, Struthers, at 4 p.m. Oct. 21; Canfield Presbyterian Church, Canfield, at 3 p.m. Nov. 18; First Covenant Church, Boardman, at 4 p.m. Dec. 2; and Pleasant Valley Church, Niles, at 4 p.m. April 14.