North Carolina Symphony Presents 'A Night in Paris' Tonight, 7/7

The North Carolina Symphony whisks its audience away to the City of Love in a Summerfest finale to remember. Conductor Mischa Santora, vocalists Robb Asklof and Kersten Rodau, guitarist Robert Bell and accordionist Patrick Harison all join the orchestra for a colorful concert event, "A Night in Paris."

The final performance in the 2012 Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series, the concert takes place at Cary's Booth Amphitheatre tonight, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. Children 12 and under are admitted free for lawn seating.

Concertgoers will delight in the music of Parisian favorites Django Reinhardt, Edith Piaf, Michel Legrand, Charles Dumont and many more. Their evocative and romantic music is paired with popular melodies from across the musical landscape.

The orchestra, aided by singers Robb Asklof and Kersten Rodau, performs favorites from the films Funny Face and Moulin Rouge. The evening also features several orchestral highlights, including Claude Debussy's singularly beautiful Clair de lune and George Gershwin's rapturous ode to a night on the town, An American in Paris.

Joining the Symphony for this finale Summerfest performance is conductor Mischa Santora. Currently the music director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, he has conducted many of the leading orchestras in North and South America, Europe and Australasia. He won the 1998 Aspen Conducting Prize, as well as a UBS Culture Award and Presser Foundation Career Grant, and was a student of Otto-Werner Mueller at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Symphony Associate Conductor Sarah Hicks will also be on hand as the evening's emcee and guide through the program, which she produced with Lilly Schwartz.

As part of the concert festivities, couples and families who display the biggest and boldest culinary skills can win prizes. The Whole Foods Market of Cary Picnic of the Week contest selects the weekend's best picnickers to receive a $100 gift basket from Whole Foods. Two honorable mention $20 gift cards will also be awarded.

Become a fan of the North Carolina Symphony on Facebook to see photos of the winners after each Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series concert.

The North Carolina Symphony's popular Instrument Zoo will also be featured at this concert. Kids can try out the orchestra's instruments for themselves. Symphony musicians and staff members provide expert tips as kids bow or blow their first notes on violins, trumpets, trombones and more.

General admission lawn seating to "A Night in Paris" is $28 in advance, $33 at the door. Covered table seating is also available for $33 in advance, $38 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free for lawn seating at all Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series concerts.

For tickets, visit the North Carolina Symphony website at www.ncsymphony.org or call the Symphony Box Office at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724.