Festive Gala: Around the World in 80ish minutes

Embark on an unforgettable musical voyage with **“Festive Gala: Around the World in 80ish Minutes,”** the cinematic celebration of a grand tour that takes audiences from the familiar streets of London to the distant, breath‑taking corners of the globe—all in the span of a single, heart‑warming film. Set in the majestic halls of the Megaron, Alexandros Myrat—an old companion of the orchestra—guides you through a dazzling, virtuosic program that feels both intimate and colossal. The evening opens with the sparkling cadence of Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” immediately giving way to the shimmering jazz swing of George Gershwin’s “Variations on ‘I Got Rhythm’.” Feel the nostalgic pull of Joe Hisaishi’s “Merry‑Go‑Round of Life” and the haunting beauty of Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2.” African‑American rhythms pulse through Florence Price’s “Juba”; Kuopi‑luminous magic unfolds in Nikos Skalkottas’s “At Break of Day I Shall Rise,” a playful xylophone miniature. A brief Accidental encore of Johann Strauss II’s “Perpetuum Mobile” entwines with the waltz‑time grace of George Gershwin’s “Variations on ‘I Got Rhythm,’” while Ravel’s “Alborada del Gracioso” and John Williams’s “Viktor’s Tale” weave cinematic flair into the tapestry. The Romanesque charm of Bach’s “Aria from Orchestral Suite No. 3” punctuates a moment of serene reflection before the orchestra explodes with the fiery energy of Pablo De Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen.” The journey reaches its climax with Ennio Morricone’s dramatic “Gabriel’s Oboe” and the Brazilian soul of Heitor Villa‑Lobos’s “Cantilena” from *Bachianas Brasileiras*. The grand finale takes all of us, guided by Phileas Fogg himself, into the rhythmic warmth of South America. With Alberto Ginastera’s “Malambo” whipping the crowd into jubilant celebration, the New Year begins in electrifying Latin American beat, uniting the audience in a stirring dance of triumph and joy. Join us for this scintillating, international concert film—where each piece not only showcases remarkable virtuosity but also paints a sonic map of the world. Reserve your tickets now and step into a musical passport that faithfully follows the footsteps of a gentleman in quest of adventure, imagination, and boundless applause.