The Oregon Symphony has announced the return of the largest free community concert in Oregon, the Waterfront Concert and Festival, on Saturday, September 3, 2022. The family-friendly event welcomes visitors to Tom McCall Waterfront Park for an all-day celebration full of music and singing. The concert features a variety of music from outstanding local artists and a robust musical program performed by the Oregon Symphony.
Music Director David Danzmayr leads the concert and recently appointed Assistant Conductor Deanna Tham will make her Oregon Symphony debut. The Symphony will take the stage at 7:00 p.m. with a program that includes music featured in popular films (John Williams’ flying theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and the main theme from the epic film The Mission) to masterworks from iconic composers (Mozart, Brahms, Tchaikovsky) and pieces that provide a window to other cultures (Ginastera’s Four Dances from Estancia and Sibelius’s Finlandia). It will also include a performance of “O Soave fanciulla” from Puccini’s La Bohème that will feature Portland Opera vocalists, soprano Vanessa Isiguen and tenor Tony Kalil. The concert culminates with the Oregon Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
“Waterfront Concert and Festival is a summer musical tradition for all Oregonians,” says Scott Showalter, Oregon Symphony President and CEO, “It’s a unique opportunity for people to gather outside and experience an extraordinary array of local artists of diverse backgrounds and share the joy and power of a live Oregon Symphony concert.”
The free festival begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland with performances from local artists and community partners such as Portland Taiko, jazz ensemble MYSfits, vocalist Alonzo Chadwick and Zoulful, blues and gospel vocalist LaRhonda Steele, Jan Michael, Looking Wolf with Indigenous flutists and Orquestra Pacifico Tropical, who will perform the music of Central and South America. The Oregon Symphony concert follows starting at 7:00 p.m.
This year’s concert and festival will again feature jumbotron screens to enhance the concert-viewing experience. Concertgoers are asked to bring only low-profile chairs or blankets for seating to preserve sight lines for those behind them. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in Tom McCall Waterfront Park pursuant to the Oregon Symphony’s permit with the City of Portland. There are no current state or local COVID-19 regulations regarding entry to this outdoor event, therefore proof of full vaccination or negative COVID test or wearing a mask are not required. Organizers ask that everyone be respectful of and considerate to all event goers. For more information and a detailed performance schedule go to orsymphony.org/waterfront.