Join Union alumnus Robert Bernhardt '73 as he counts down to 2007 with the Boston Pops Dec. 31 at Symphony Hall in Boston. He will conduct “Holiday Pops and New York Voices,” a concert featuring members of the Boston Pops, beginning at 10:15 p.m.
The doors open at 8:30 p.m. for entertainment throughout the hall, and post-concert dancing and refreshments wrap up the celebration. Tickets are $80-$167 and can be obtained through the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Bernhardt is currently in his 13th season with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO), where he is conductor and music director. He has brought great accomplishment and a sense of fun to one of the Southeast's oldest arts organizations.
Equally at home in all genres, from symphony to pops, Bernhardt has a vast symphonic repertoire that covers most of the standard canon, and his commitment to the music of our time is significant.
Concurrent with his CSO tenure, Bernhardt holds the additional title of principal pops conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, where he is celebrating his 25th anniversary this year. He began his professional career there in 1981 as assistant conductor and has worked with the orchestra every year since.
High praise for his work, which has been consistent throughout his tenure, has included:
“Mr. Bernhardt and musicians (are) now playing with unmatched precision and confidence.” (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
“In addition to being a conductor of immense musical ability, Bernhardt has the unique gift of demystifying music for the masses… with few exceptions, the orchestra under Robert Bernhardt's direction set the standard with clean, intelligent, and energetic playing. Bernhardt's control and pacing brought this exciting music alive with solid intonation and a tight ensemble.” (Chattanoogan.com)
Born in Rochester, N.Y., Bernhardt is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of Union, where he received a bachelor's in Art and was an Academic All-American baseball player. He holds a master's degree with honors from the University of Southern California School of Music ('77), where he studied with Daniel Lewis.
A lover of opera, Bernhardt has conducted staged productions for the Chattanooga Opera as well as the opera companies of Nashville and Birmingham. He has been a frequent guest conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops.
He has also been a guest with the Seattle, Phoenix, Nashville, Colorado, Iceland and Pacific symphony orchestras, among others.
Bernhardt made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1978 and has recorded for Vanguard, First Edition, Carlton Classics and RPO record labels. He also has conducted the Louisville, North Carolina, Jacksonville and Lonestar ballet companies.