News
January 29, 2025
HUDSON VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LIGHTS UP SEEGER THEATER WITH “A NIGHT OF BROADWAY” FEATURING BROADWAY LEGEND HUGH PANARO
Vocalist Hugh Panaro, well known for performing as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera over 2,000 times, joins the HVSO to present “A Night of Broadway”. Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor André Raphel will lead the orchestra for this Pops concert packed with Broadway hits. Panaro has starred in numerous other productions as well, including Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd. The performance will take place in Seeger Theater at Beacon High School on Saturday, February 22nd at 7:30 pm.
The Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra invites concertgoers to explore a wide range of Broadway gems from The Music Man, Jersey Boys, Wicked, and of course, The Phantom of the Opera. The evening will be filled with some of the most iconic music written for the stage. Reduced ticket prices are available for seniors and students, and children under 5 are invited free of charge. Music and theater lovers of all ages are welcome to attend!
This performance is made possible in part by the Ann and Abe Effron Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley and the Vassar Brothers Institute.
The orchestra performance on Saturday, February 22nd will take place at Seeger Theatre (101 Matteawan Rd, Beacon, NY) at 7:30 p.m. The doors will open at 6:45 pm.
Hugh Panaro
Hugh Panaro is perhaps best known for having played the coveted role of the Phantom in Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera over 2,000 times, including the 25th Anniversary production. In fact, Hugh is one of the few actors to be cast by Harold Prince as both The Phantom and Raoul in the show's Broadway production and recently starred as the title role in the New York production of Sweeney Todd.
Hugh made his Broadway debut in the original production of Les Misérables as Marius, the role he originated in the First National Company. He also created the roles of Buddy in the original Side Show (Sony cast recording); Julian Craster in Jule Styne's last musical, The Red Shoes; and the title role in the American premiere of Cameron Mackintosh's Martin Guerre. Hugh was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in the title role of Elton John's Lestat, based on Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.
He made his West End debut in the original London company of Harold Prince's Show Boat as Gaylord Ravenal, the role he previously played in the Broadway and Toronto productions.
At the prestigious 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle, Hugh played George Seurat in Sunday in the Park with George, and Robert in Stephen Sondheim's Company. Hugh's performance as Jean Valjean in the Walnut Street Theater's production of Les Misérables earned him the prestigious Barrymore Award, for which he was again nominated after a turn as Fagin in Oliver! In 2012, Hugh was honored with the Edwin Forrest Award for his long-term contribution to the theater.
An active concert artist, Panaro has performed with numerous symphony orchestras including the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, The Cleveland Orchestra, Philly Pops, Dallas, Detroit, San Francisco, Seattle, Utah Symphonies, and the London Sinfonietta, among many others. Mr. Panaro’s upcoming engagements include the Philly Pops, Charlotte Symphony, Cleveland Pops, Tucson Symphony, Maui Pops, Hawaii Symphony, among others. Hugh also recently returned as a guest soloist with the Festival Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. He also had the privilege of performing in the world premiere of Penderecki’s Te Deum at Carnegie Hall and was a guest soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic, conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. His recordings include Jerome Kern Treasury, the original cast recording of Side Show, Tap Your Troubles Away (Herman), The Centennial (Weil), and Life On The Wicked Stage (Kern). In addition, he toured throughout Europe with the legendary Barbra Streisand. A native of Philadelphia, Panaro graduated from Temple University and was awarded the Boyer College of Music Certificate of Honor. His first solo CD, recorded live at 54 Below, is set to be released in 2023.
November 8, 2024
Hudson Valley Magazine published an article about the HVSO’s journey and 2024-2025 season. “The Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra Embraces a Fresh Start” by Deborah Skolnick . Read the article here!
October 3, 2024
News 12 Hudson Valley interviewed Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor André Raphel and Executive Director Rachel Crozier about HVSO’s upcoming season. View the video here!
August 14, 2024
THE HUDSON VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF ANDRÉ RAPHEL
AS PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTIC ADVISOR
The Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra announced today the appointment of André Raphel as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor. Raphel begins as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Designate effective immediately. Raphel’s two-year term as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor will begin in September 2024 with the start of the 2024-2025 Season. “The musicians have expressed their overwhelming support as we officially welcome Maestro Raphel. We are excited to embark on this new chapter together,” said Executive Director and violinist Rachel Crozier.
Raphel and the musicians of the HVSO have collaborated on three occasions since 2022. He has led the orchestra in performances of Gustav Holst’s The Planets and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony. On May 18, 2024, Raphel conducted the inaugural concert of the Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra, in a program featuring “The Music of John Williams.”
Raphel is Conductor Laureate of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, having served as Music Director for 15 years. André Raphel has appeared with most of the major American Orchestras including Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. During the 2024-2025 Season, Raphel makes his Berlin debut leading the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
The musicians of the HVSO have been bringing music to the Hudson Valley for over 90 years. They played together first as the Dutchess County Philharmonic Orchestra, and then as the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. In May 2024, the orchestra reorganized as the Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra, renewing its commitment to community, education, and bringing inspiring performances to the Hudson Valley region. Raphel is known for his compelling musical performances, and his commitment to education and community engagement. Marcia Gates, HVSO Personnel Manager and Principal Flutist commented, “We couldn’t find a better candidate than André Raphel to be our Conductor and Artistic Advisor through this transitional time.”
About André Raphel
Acclaimed for his creative programing and versatility, conductor André Raphel is renowned for his compelling musical performances. Raphel has led critically acclaimed festivals, world premieres and commissioned works by Richard Danielpour, Jennifer Higdon, Kenneth Fuchs, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Uri Caine, and Hannibal Lokumbe.
Conductor Laureate of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, André Raphel led the orchestra as Music Director for 15 years. Other key positions have included, Assistant Conductor to Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic for two years. He was Assistant Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra for six years. Raphel served for three years as Assistant Conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony.
Raphel enjoys a busy career as guest conductor. In June 2025, André Raphel makes his Berlin debut leading the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. Recent appearances include engagements with Boston Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra among others. The Boston Globe named his performance of Uri Caine’s Passion of Octavius Catto with the Boston Symphony, one of “10 Memorable Classical Music Moments from 2023.” Raphel has appeared with most of the major American orchestras including Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic.
Born André Raphel Smith in Durham, North Carolina he began formal music lessons at age 11. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami, and pursued further study at Yale University where he earned his Master’s Degree. While at Yale, he began conducting studies with Otto-Werner Mueller. He continued studies with Mueller at the Curtis Institute of Music earning a Diploma in conducting and at The Juilliard School, where he was awarded the Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship and received an Advanced Certificate in orchestral conducting.
Raphel is the recipient of numerous honors and awards which attest to his artistry. Among them, the North Carolina Senate awarded Raphel the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine.” The award, presented annually is the state’s highest honor for a civilian.