Cincinnati launches 'Get Paul to Music Hall' campaign to lure Paul McCartney to town
The Greater Cincinnati community is working to bring Paul McCartney to the Queen City.
The first-ever operatic staging of a live classical album recorded and released by The Beatles legend will premiere at Cincinnati Opera's 2024 Summer Festival in July. On Wednesday, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney joined the opera and other partners from across the region to kick off a community-wide campaign aimed at bringing the rock star to the area.
According to a press release, the summer-long initiative “Come Together, Cincy! Get Paul to Music Hall!” highlights why McCartney should accept the community’s invitation and attend the premiere of "Liverpool Oratorio."
McCartney released the album in 1991 to commemorate the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's 150th anniversary. The upcoming Cincinnati show will be the first-ever operatic staging of the uplifting epic inspired by the musician's early life.
Throughout the summer, there will be events and activities around Cincinnati for McCartney, Beatles and opera fans to join the celebration and highlight what makes the region so unique. Cincinnati-area residents are also invited to record a video tribute to McCartney and post it on social media using the hashtag #GetPaulToMusicHall. Tagged videos will be shared by the Cincinnati Opera and “Come Together, Cincy!” partners, who will also share them with McCartney’s team.
“We’re looking forward to launching the ‘Come Together, Cincy!’ campaign this weekend at Taste of Cincinnati, courtesy of our partners at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Attendees can stop by the Opera booth and record their video tribute to Sir Paul by sharing a favorite memory or singing a snippet of a McCartney tune,” Chris Milligan, Cincinnati Opera CEO, said in the release.
"Liverpool Oratorio" tells the story of a young man named Shanty, who was born and raised in Liverpool during World War II. The work follows his life's journey and explores themes of childhood, school days, love, war and reconciliation.
"I am writing to express my wholehearted support for this project. I believe that Cincinnati Opera is uniquely positioned to bring this work to life in a new way, and I have no doubt that your production will be an inspiring experience for all who see it. … I look forward to its premiere next summer," McCartney said in a letter to the company in September 2023.
More about Cincinnati Opera's 2024 Summer Festival
The production, directed by Caroline Clegg, will star tenor Andrew Owen as Shanty; soprano Jacqueline Echols as Mary Dee; mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Decker as Miss Inkley, Chief Mourner and nurse; and bass-baritone Kevin Short as headmaster, preacher and Mr. Dingle.
The 2024 Summer Festival takes place June 13-27 at Springer Auditorium in Music Hall. In addition to the premiere of "Liverpool Oratorio," the mainstage season will include a new production of W.A. Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata." Various community programs and smaller-scale performances will also be featured, including projects developed specifically for Music Hall's Wilks Studio.
Tickets for Cincinnati Opera's 2024 Summer Festival are currently on sale starting at $105. Tickets for individual performances start at $36.
'Liverpool Oratorio' schedule for Cincinnati Opera's 2024 Summer Festival
July 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
July 20, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
July 25, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
July 21, 2024, at 3 p.m.
July 27, 2024, at 3 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati aiming to lure Paul McCartney to town with huge campaign
