Notes: The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) begins its inaugural Pop Series this season with the program An Evening of Gershwin. The three-concert Pop Series looks to bring performances geared more toward the upbeat and uptempo, so it makes sense to devote an entire concert to George Gershwin, arguably America's most popular composer. With familiar favorites such as "Rhapsody in Blue," "Porgy and Bess" and "An American in Paris," Gershwin composed both concert and pop music, often combining these styles with deft incorporations of jazz and folk rhythms and themes. For this concert, the LPO invites back conductor Chelsea Tipton to lead featured artists Willis Delony, piano; Liz Argus, soprano, and Ivan Griffin, baritone. Delony is accomplished in both jazz and classical piano, and Griffin is also known for flexibility, having played recitals, operas and theater musicals. Argus is well-known to local musical theater fans, having performed with numerous local troupes.
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