Philharmonic prepped for ‘Star Spangled Spectacular’

Marilyn LaRocque

Thursday, July 3, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

Fourth of July traditions and pageantry, an honor guard, picnics on the lawn, rousing music and ooh-ahh fireworks will celebrate America's Independence Day at the Las Vegas Philharmonic's fifth annual "Star Spangled Spectacular."

Held at Hills Park, Summerlin, where the gates open at 4 p.m., the Pops concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks by Zambelli International launch at 9:30 p.m. Kurt Mische of KLVX-TV 10 will be master of ceremonies.

City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald sets the patriotic theme singing the national anthem, and the U.S. Marine Corps Basic High School Junior ROTC will serve as Honor Guard.

With Music Director Harold Weller and Associate Conductor Dr. Richard McGee alternating on the podium, the sparkling program will spotlight flag-waving favorites such as "1812 Overture," "Stars and Stripes Forever" and Sousa marches. In tribute to the 100th anniversary of flight, the philharmonic will play music from the movies "Apollo 13" and "The Right Stuff."

A special highlight of the evening will be U.S. Sen. Harry Reid narrating Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait." A unique feature will be the Suzuki Violin Class from Sunrise Acres Elementary School, performing under the direction of Alissa Hamilton. Guest artists Patricia Welch, soprano, and Mark Thomsen, tenor, will join talents in selections from Leonard Berstein's "West Side Story."

At the opening of the Henderson Pavilion, Patricia Welch dazzled the audience with her interpretation of "Summer Time" from "Porgy and Bess." A stunning soprano of vibrant personality and powerful voice, she has starred in many musical theater roles, among them Maria in "The Sound of Music," Marsinah in "Kismet" and Hodel in "Fiddler on the Roof," as well as Maria in "West Side Story." On Broadway, she played Tuptim to the late Yul Brynner's king in "The King and I."

She has been a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Pops Orchestra, Orange County Symphony, Pacific Palisades Orchestra, San Juan Capistrano Symphony and Jonathan Pops Orchestra. She has also sung the national anthem at Dodger Stadium and performed both the anthem and "America the Beautiful" for former Presidents Clinton and Ford and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf.

To say tenor Mark Thomsen is "versatile" is an understatement. A two-time winner of the prestigious Pavarotti Award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, he was also named New York City Opera Debut Artist of the Year. Locally, he was a soloist with the LVP in its performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Thomsen is known for tenor roles such as Alfredo in "La Traviata," Nadir in "The Pearl Fishers," Ottavio in "Don Giovanni," Edgardo in "Lucia di Lammermoor," and the title role in "The Tales of Hoffmann." He sings with major opera companies in the U.S. and Europe.

He debuted in Europe in 1988 in the world premiere of "A Quiet Place" by Leonard Bernstein in Vienna, with the composer conducting, and performed the same work for his debut at La Scala.

Executing a musical 180, he has also sung on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion." In a parody Keillor wrote of the Italian tenor staple, "O sole mio," he became an amorous pizza deliveryman. Thomsen also sang the role of the husband in "Mr. and Mrs. Olson," an off-the-wall spoof of grand opera by Keillor and APHC musician Andy Stein.

Saluting possible future celebrity performers, the Philharmonic will showcase the very young violinists who have pioneered the Suzuki Violin Class at Sunrise Acres Elementary School. The program is a collaborative effort of the Clark County School District and the philharmonic, with support from a 21st Century Learning Grant and the Nevada School of the Arts. It began three years ago with kindergartners and expanded as the children progressed from grade to grade, and now there are three levels of instruction.

"The Suzuki program has given artistic musical expression and performance to kids who otherwise would not have that opportunity," said Sunrise Acres Principal Arturo Ochoa. "The 45 kids, and their parents, show an incredible commitment.

"The kids have developed a very high level of self-confidence that is reflected in their academic studies. They're little professionals and stand tall and proud. Alissa Hamilton, their teacher, has been a wonderful inspiration."

On the Fourth of July, the young musicians will perform three pieces, including variations on "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Picnics, blankets and low lawn chairs are allowed. Umbrellas may be used prior to the concert. Food and beverages from Jason's Deli will also be available for purchase.