Free Pops Concert Under The Stars

FAIRFIELD — A blockbuster Pops concert, featuring Broadway and Hollywood hits, patriotic tunes, opera favorites and light classics, will thrill audiences of all ages at Greater Bridgeport Symphony’s free outdoor evening performance on Saturday, June 24.

Celebrating its 11th anniversary season, this year’s concert will be held at 8 pm, at Fairfield University, in front of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library. The site’s expansive, rolling lawn can easily accommodate the anticipated audience of 10,000.

The concert will feature the return engagement of guest conductor Matthew Savery, who has captivated audiences with his charm and talent for the past eight years.

The program will also present the young soprano Sarah Callinan, winner of the Barnum Festival’s 2005 Jenny Lind Competition for Sopranos.

The 50-member orchestra will perform a selection of dance music.

About to celebrate his 13th season as music director of the Bozeman (Mont.) Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Choir, Mr Savery is currently much in demand as both a competition adjudicator and a conductor in residence and has guest conducted throughout the region.

Ms Callinan recently completed her second season in the resident artist program at Connecticut Opera.

A pre-concert program at 6:30 pm will feature the Wayne Hiller Jazz Octet.

Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early to set up picnic baskets, blankets or beach chairs. There will be no food concessions on campus.

Gates will open at 5:30 pm and shuttle buses will run continuously from campus parking lots to the concert site. No pets are allowed.

In case of rain both concerts will take place on Sunday, June 25, at the same starting times.

For directions or more information or a free brochure on the symphony’s 2006-07 season call the GBS office at 203-576-0263; write to Greater Bridgeport Symphony, 446 University Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06604; or visit

 BridgeportSymphony.org.