Hugh Jackman Wows at the Academy Ball

Tonight was the 156th Philadelphia Orchestra Academy Ball, which benefits the Orchestra and the Academy of Music. Globe Globe winner Hugh Jackman, who will probably win the Oscar for his performance in "Les Miserables". was the special guest star.

He sang a beautiful rendition of  "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning". When Jackman performed a Peter Allen number with the Philadelphia Boys Choir in honor of yesterday's Australia Day, he unfurled the Australian flag on stage. Naturally, he performed a number from "Les Miserables." Last night, it was the first time he sang any of the "Les Miserables" songs with an orchestra. He dedicated "Soliloquy" from "Carousel" to his dad.

"Singers rarely get to sing with an 18 piece orchestra let alone a 75 piece orchestra," said Jackman. "I sang on the set of "Les Miserable with a transistor like device in my ear that had a piano playing nearby."

As a tribute to the orchestra, he recited the first names of all 75 member of the orchestra. (There are 6 Davids.) He called the Philadelphia Orchestra, "the world's greatest orchestra" several times during the night.

The personal movie star acted like a native. Being a big soccer fan, he wiped Yanick's brow with a Philadelphia Union T shirt. He danced with Pennsylvania's First Lady, Susan Corbett during "Mack the Knife"and kissed Academy of Music president, Joanna Lewis.

Of course, there were the obligatory Philly cheesesteak jokes. His young daughter Ava brought him one on stage."

Cole Hamel of the Phillies and his wife Heidi also briefly graced the stage. They attended the Young Friend's Ball. Heidi said, 'It was their first ball."

The Hamels thanked the Philadelphia Orchestra and Academy of Music for preserving the cultural heritage for their children

Philadelphia Society Dresses Up to Welcome Yannick

Philadelphia society and Mayor Nutter officially welcomed the new musical director of the Philadelphia Orchestra Yannick Nezet-Seguin to Philadelphia during last night's opening night for the orchestra. Philadelphians had high hopes for their new, youthful music director. Yannick did not disappoint. 

Last night's program featured Renee Fleming, one of the world's greatest living sopranos, and an energetic Yannick conducting Ravel, Brahms, and Strauss.The music flowed so beautifully it seemed as if Yannick had been at the helm of the orchestra forever. The joie de vivre on stage meant that the turmoil of the orchestra's bankruptcy is now in the past. 

I would be negligent if I did not mention the hard work of the musicians of the Orchestra. They will not be toiling in obscurity for much longer. The Kimmel Center and the Orchestra are creating an exhibit featuring all the musicians. This recognition is long overdue. 

Sidney and Caroline Kimmel, who flew in from California,  DJ Jerry Blavat, Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest attended the gala that was held in the lobby of the Kimmel Center yesterday. 

Only real men can wear kilts.

Somebody not afraid to show that she came to party.

Ivy Silver and Steve Leshner

Kimmel Center CEO Ann Ewers and her husband

Academy Ball with Paul Simon and Renee Fleming

Philadelphia high society celebrated the 154th anniversary of the Academy of Music with a Philadelphia Orchestra concert and ball on Saturday, January 29. Renee Fleming, considered by many the world's greatest soprano, and singer Paul Simon starred in the program conducted by Jonathan Nott. The ball, chaired by Tastykake CEO Charles Pizzi, and Sandra Marshall, jointly benefits the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Academy of Music Restoration fund.
The almost sold out crowd of 2100 guests REM's Mike Mills, political luminaries Senator Casey, Congressman Meehan, and Mayor Nutter, old Philadelphia families like (Lenfests, Binswangers, and McNeils), and corporate executives from local companies. The Academy Ball is the longest running and most successful benefit of any American orchestra.
The women were resplendent in long couture gowns, sparkling jewels, and furs. The men wore the Academy Ball uniform of white tie tails.
Fleming, dazzling in a red gown with a silver shawl, showed her range by singing a varied repertoire including arias from “La Boehme,” "I Feel Pretty" from "West Side Story,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” She said, "I am awed to be on a stage where so many great performers have sung."
Paul Simon sang old favorites such as "Still Crazy After All These Years' and "Cecilia.” He shared with the audience the melancholy “Love and Hard Times” that will not be released until the spring. The 150 member Philadelphia All City Choir, called "Philadelphia's art treasure by Simon, joined him on stage for a rendition of the gospel tinged, "Loves Me Like a Rock."
Simon introduced his first ever duet with Fleming by declaring “the beginning of the Simon and Fleming era.” After hearing their powerful rendition of “Sounds of Silence,” the audience can only hope so.
Joanna McNeil Lewis, president of the Academy of Music, urged the audience, "To support Philadelphia cultural treasures such as the Orchestra, Academy of Music, and Tastykakes or Philadelphia will lose its uniqueness." MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall, host of the evening, announced that the Academy of Music restoration had just won the prestigious American Institute of Architects 2011 Honor Award for Interior Architecture.
After the concert, patrons marched en masse up Broad Street to the Hyatt at the Bellevue for the ball. The menu was champagne emulsion with caviar, filet of beef, duo of lemon and white chocolate, and an open bar. Guests boogied to the music of eight different bands until 2 am.