RPO teases a historic performance during the complete solar eclipse on April 8

Rochester, New York – Both the RPO’s Eclipse Spectacular and the complete solar eclipse on April 8 will be once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

“This is going to be the biggest event in the 100 years of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra,” said Jeff Tyzik, the group’s principal pops conductor.

For the first time, the historic show will unite the assistant conductor, pops conductor, and music director of the RPO in a single concert.

When the symphony marks the event in the sky, it won’t be by itself. For the occasion, a community gospel choir has been formed to work with RPO.

“We gathered a choir of the community’s best singers to participate in this special performance,” said choir coordinator Renee Anderson.

“The sound, the lights, the dancers, cirque artists flying over the orchestra, gospel choirs, the RPO and PUSH Physical Theatre, Madrigalia and Rochester City Ballet,” Tyzik said. “Everybody is coming together to create this magical event in honor of our eclipse weekend.”

A “out-of-this-world” performance by the orchestra will fit the huge event’s concept.

“(We’ll be) playing phenomenal music from Star Wars, Star Trek, The Planets by Holst, and an original piece by me,” Tyzik explained. “It’s going to be a really fantastic evening.”

“Imagine what it would be like if you went to an orchestra concert that had the energy or hype that a Kendrick Lamar or Drake concert would have,” said Jherrard Hardeman, RPO’s assistant conductor. “This is an orchestra concert with the bells and whistles of any rock show.”

The Blue Cross Arena will host the performance on Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m.