PSO in tribute to John Williams

Staff report

NEW CASTLE, PA.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will return to the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 110 E. Lincoln Ave., on May 5, when it will present “The Music of John Williams.”

Assistant Conductor Andres Franco will lead the concert, which will focus on the rousing music of the legendary composer. Williams created the scores to the blockbuster films “Harry Potter,” “Far and Away,” “Star Wars,” “Hook,” “Superman” and “Indiana Jones.” Patrons are welcome to attend the concert, which begins at 8 p.m., in costume.

Tickets range from $16 to $59 and can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-392-4900 or online at pittsburghsymphony.org/SRC.

The Scottish Rite Cathedral will offer a pre-concert buffet dinner from 6 to 7 p.m. The cost is $22 per person, and reservations are required. Call 724-654-6683 (option 3 then option 2) or email info@cathedralnewcastle.com for reservations or more information.

Having completed a successful first season as music director of Tulsa’s Signature Symphony at TCC, as well as assistant conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Franco has established himself as a conductor to watch.

While maintaining his roles as principal conductor of the multimedia project Caminos del Inka and artistic director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s summer festival, he continues to impress audiences with his imaginative programming and energetic style.

A frequent guest conductor in the United States, Europe and South America, Franco has appeared with the Columbus, Elgin, El Paso, Eugene, Fort Worth, Houston, Lake Forest (Miss.), Saginaw Bay, Springfield, St. Louis and Stockton symphony orchestras.

A native of Colombia, Franco is dedicated to preserving and performing the music of the Americas. As principal conductor of Caminos del Inka, he has led many performances of works by Latin American composers.

Franco is married to Victoria Luperi, associate principal clarinetist in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.