FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lancaster Symphony Orchestra Will Revel With the Gypsies This New Year’s Eve at American Music Theatre.

LANCASTER, PA -- The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra will present a New Year’s Eve Celebration like no other on Wednesday, December 31, 2008, at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster. Joining maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser and the Symphony will be Roby Lakatos, the enchanting Hungarian Gypsy violin king and his five-piece ensemble.

The evening of fun and music, complete with noisemakers and champagne, will begin at 7 pm.

Roby Lakatos breaks down borders with his mix of classical music, Hungarian Gypsy music and jazz themes. This unique musical scope and versatility have attracted pairings with such lauded musicians as Herbie Hancock, Randy Brecker and Vadim Repin. His performances across America, Europe and Asia have attracted fans worldwide.

When Roby Lakatos mixes classical music with the magic of the Hungarian Gypsy vitality, it reflects a deep tradition rooted in the heritage of the Gypsy people and offers new, refreshing pleasures. Just as masters like Liszt, Brahms and others used the Hungarian overtones in their compositions, Lakatos gives the classics a 21st century spin with Gypsy roots.

While classically trained at the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest, Lakatos has continued the tradition of seven generations of legendary musicians by becoming a virtuoso in his own right. He was initiated into the secrets of Gypsy music at the young age of five. When only nine, he made his public debut as first violin in a Gypsy band. From 1986 to 1996, he delighted audiences with an ensemble at “Les Atéliers de la grande Ille” in Brussels, their musical home throughout this period.

The Roby Lakatos Ensemble — Lászlo Bóni, second violin; Jeno Lisztes, cimbalom; Lászlo Balogh, guitar; Robert Fehér, double bass and Frantisek Janoska, piano — also all boast diverse musical backgrounds. The ensemble’s distinction has made them the most famous Gypsy band in the world.

Jeno Lisztes’ cimbalom — the traditional, Hungarian Gypsy stringed instrument —is large, bulky instrument. Because an extra airplane seat to transport it from Central Europe, the Hungarian government stores a cimbalom in their Washington, D.C. embassy for the Ensemble’s stateside performances.

The Lancaster Symphony’s home for its New Year’s Eve Celebration, The American Music Theatre, is located at 2425 Lincoln Highway East (Route 30) in Lancaster, opposite the Rockvale Square Outlets.

All tickets are $69 and can be purchased by calling the American Music Theatre at (717) 397-7700 or (800) 648-4102. Tickets can also be reserved online at americanmusictheatre.com.

Underwriting the Lancaster Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Celebration will be Willow Valley Associates and Palm Bay Imports. Willow Valley Associates is also sponsoring the entire 2008-2009 season, along with Willow Valley Retirement Communities. Season travel sponsor is Travel Time. Season media sponsor is WITF-FM 89.5.

Sound Discovery partners are Highmark Blue Shield and Lancaster General. Sponsoring its Classic Concert Series are Clermont Wealth Strategies at Fulton Bank, Electron Energy Corporation, Elizabethtown College, Franklin & Marshall College, Millersville University, TriStarr Staffing and PNC.

Encore hospitality sponsor will be Fenz Restaurant. First Look hospitality sponsor will be Carr’s Restaurant. Ticket sponsor is Wiley’s Pharmacy.

Music director Stephen Gunzenhauser is making his 28th year as the creative leader of the Symphony. Taking the Symphony’s baton in 1980, the Grammy-nominated musician also led the Delaware Symphony for 23 years. In 2004, he served as artistic advisor and principal conductor for the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra. He maintains a regular guest conducting schedule in Bogota and with symphony orchestras all over the world. The prolific conductor has made 66 recordings and sold over 2 million CDs.

Now in its 61st season, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra has evolved from a community orchestra into an organization of professional musicians serving 52,000 music enthusiasts with 28 yearly subscription concerts, a holiday concert, this New Year’s Eve gala celebration, a spring “Audience Requests” concert weekend and a free, outdoor community patriotic concert.

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra is a 75-member, professional orchestra that was founded in 1947 by Frederick S. Klein and John H. Peifer, Jr. from Franklin & Marshall College.

The orchestra is a non-profit organization, governed by a board of 30 community volunteers and managed by a professional staff under the direction of president and chief executive officer M. Scott Robinson.

Ticket sales revenues and donations from hundreds of corporate and private benefactors underwrite the Symphony’s invaluable contribution to the quality of life in south central Pennsylvania.