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STARLIGHT GALA FEATURING
ITZHAK PERLMAN AT UAB'S
ALYS STEPHENS CENTER OCT. 28
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center presents an evening with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman Oct. 28 in the Jemison Concert Hall. Proceeds from the Starlight Gala will benefit the center. Tickets are $500 per person for a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, performance and dessert with Perlman. Also available are tickets for $100 a person, which include a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception and performance only. Tickets are available through the Alys Stephens Center box office (205) 975-2787.
Perlman is one of the most highly acclaimed artists of his time. His recordings regularly appear on the bestseller charts and he has won 15 Grammy Awards. He has been featured on the cover of Newsweek as been named Artist of The Year by Musical America's Directory of Music and Musicians. In 1997, PBS featured him in the series "Evening at the Pops" with conductor John Williams, and he has hosted several special documentaries for PBS. He also has made several cameo appearances on the "Late Show with David Letterman," "Sesame Street," and the "Tonight Show."
Perlman's love of music and performing are hallmarks of his career and were cited by President Ronald Reagan in when he bestowed the 1986 United States Medal of Liberty on Perlman. He recently reunited with Academy Award-winning composer and conductor John Williams for a Sony Classical recording of "Cinema Serenade" with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This recording features new arrangements for violin and orchestra of popular contemporary film music, including an excerpt from Williams' score for the critically acclaimed movie "Schindler's List." Perlman was the soloist on the film's soundtrack -- an achievement of which he is most proud.
Born in Israel in 1945, Perlman completed his early training at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv. In 1958, he went to New York City and was propelled into the international arena with an appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." He continued his studies at The Juilliard School with famed teachers Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay. In 1964, Perlman won the prestigious Leventritt Competition that officially launched his professional career.
Perlman has performed with every major orchestra and at festivals throughout the world. In 1987, he joined the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for concerts in Warsaw and Budapest -- the first performances by this orchestra in Eastern bloc countries. In 1990, the same orchestra visited the Soviet Union, where Perlman was cheered by audiences. In 1994, he joined the Israel Philharmonic again for its first visit to China and India. Perlman celebrated his 50th birthday in 1995 by performing seven concertos in four concerts at the Royal Festival Hall.
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