Wonderful Philharmonic plays Bristol's last night concert

Last Night concert draws thousands over Labor Day weekend

Story by Kristen Ray, Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr
Posted 9/3/18

For the last time this season, concert goers dragged their lawn chairs out onto Independence Park this past Sunday for the final performance of the summer Concert Series by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Wonderful Philharmonic plays Bristol's last night concert

Last Night concert draws thousands over Labor Day weekend

Posted

For the last time this season, concert goers dragged their lawn chairs out onto Independence Park this past Sunday for the final performance of the summer Concert Series by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.

The annual Labor Day weekend event, traditionally drawing in between 3,000-5,000 people, signaled the end of another successful concert series run for the community.

The orchestra directed by Francisco Noya, began the night with the Star Spangled Banner. This is Noya’s 21st time conducting the band on the Independence Park grass.

The Philharmonic honored Leonard Bernstein with a selection from West Side Story. Powerful baritone Philip Lima sang I Have A Dream.

The 62 piece orchestra played family-friendly Harry Potter’s Wondrous World and finished up with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and John Phillip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever.

Bristol resident David Marshall and assistant Brandon Carrita played classic hits to kick off the night. Marshall played selections from Billy Joel and others as the crowd grew larger in anticipation of the philharmonic taking the stage.

As a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra for 35 years, bass player Eliot Porter has always had a positive experience performing before the large crowd alongside Bristol’s waterfront.

“It’s a beautiful place to play with a very appreciative audience,” he said.

Barrington residents Ed and Dale have been two of those listeners for over twenty years, making a point to always attend what they view as the best music the town has to offer all summer long.

“It’s the highlight of the Concert Series,” said Ed. “Without a doubt.”

The Concert is made possible through the generosity of TACO and the White Family Foundation, The Town of Bristol, Roger Williams University and other local donors. The concert season operates solely through the generosity of our sponsors and audiences. For more information on upcoming performances by the Philharmonic Orchestra, visit http://www.ri-philharmonic.org/.

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