While some of the borough’s more devout rockers might scoff at the idea of packing a club to hear an orchestra play, those in the know are clamoring to get tickets to the Brooklyn Philharmonic’s Jan. 31 show. That’s the newly added date — the first night sold out the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s opera house — for the Philharmonic’s concert with indie songstress Joanna Newsom, and it’s one of the hottest tickets in town.
Newsom shot to fame in 2004 with “The Milk-Eyed Mender,” a lush collection of songs that caught the ear of music aficionados around the world, including Michael Christie, the Brooklyn Philharmonic’s musical director. After last year’s successful series of concerts with other pop acts, including artists Joan Osborne and Laurie Anderson, a collaboration between Newsom and the Philharmonic seemed like a good fit.
“The whole concept revolves around the idea that these artists are producing music that seems to be a perfect match for a medium size orchestral group,” Christie said.
Joined by 29 members of the Philharmonic, Newsom will perform her 2006 album, “Ys,” in its entirety, followed by a second act of other material with her band.
“It’s all about the fact that we really feel a kinship with these artists, so we’re very enthusiastic partners,” said Christie, who will be conducting the orchestra. “I think people will be surprised that the whole orchestral idea of being stuffy doesn’t apply here. People who don’t know us as well will come away surprised at just how much we add to what these artists have already produced.”
Joanna Newsom will perform with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at 8 pm on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Ave. at Ashland Place in Fort Greene). The Feb. 1 show is sold out. Tickets are $25-$55. For information, call (718) 636-4100 or visit www.brooklynphilharmonic.org.
