The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is adding a special concert event to its 2010-11 season lineup with a tribute to the Beatles called Classical Mystery Tour.

The concert, featuring members of the Broadway cast of Beatlemania, will supplement the HPO's standard programming of four shows each in the Masterworks and Pops series at Hamilton Place, as well as two chamber concerts at Central Presbyterian Church.

The new HPO season was unveiled yesterday at a news conference at Hamilton Place.

"There's a long history of Beatles shows using orchestras, but this is a really good one," said artistic director James Sommerville. "It's got a good visual component in it as well."

In the Pops series, Juno-winning folk singer-songwriter James Keelaghan will make his first appearance with the HPO Oct. 30 in a concert entitled Songs That Tell A Story. The respected Winnipegger is a popular draw on the Canadian folk circuit and performed last summer at Hamilton's Festival of Friends.

The Darcy Hepner Jazz Orchestra -- one of the best swing bands in the country -- will join the HPO Feb. 12, 2011, for a night of music from mid-20th-century pop composers such as Henry Mancini. As well, the Pops series will feature the HPO's Christmas show and an online-request program of film music.

The Masterworks program continues Sommerville's knack for showcasing lesser-known gems by the great composers such as Mozart and Strauss. The HPO is also undertaking major pieces such as Beethoven's Third "Eroica" Symphony and the Berlioz masterpiece Symphonie Fantastique.

"We're not trotting out the same old Mozart and the same old Strauss that everyone's heard a million times," Sommerville told The Spectator. "For example, the last scene of Capriccio, which is Strauss' final opera, is not something that many people are familiar with, but it's among his finest work."

HPO executive director Annelisa Pedersen said the orchestra has survived the economic downturn in relatively good shape. Subscriptions for the current season are up 5 per cent while single-ticket sales are up 15 per cent.

"Ticket sales are up a little but revenues are down because of reductions in the price of tickets," Pedersen said.

One of the reasons behind the increase in sales is huge discounts offered to young concertgoers. The HPO Go program offers tickets to any HPO show, except Classical Mystery Tour, for $10 a ticket. A regular adult ticket can cost as much as $64.

Pedersen encouraged HPO fans to purchase tickets before May 1 to escape an 8 per cent increase in ticket prices brought about by the upcoming Harmonized Sales Tax.

Under the old tax regime, tickets for events at theatres of less than 3,500 seats were not subject to provincial sales tax. The exemption, however, ends with the HST.

* The current HPO season continues tonight with a Masterworks concert, featuring the Gryphon Trio and Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, one of the best-known pieces of music ever written.

On March 20, the HPO performs its Pops finale with a Celtic-flavoured show featuring Canadian fiddle sensational Pierre Schryer.

grockingham@thespec.com

905-526-3331

HPO 2010-11 Season

Masterworks

* Mozart Meets Strauss, Sept. 25: R. Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier Waltzes; R. Strauss, Excerpts from Capriccio; Mozart, Bella Mia Flamma, Adidio; Mozart Overture to Don Giovanni; R. Strauss, Death and Transfiguration. James Sommerville, conductor; Joni Henson, soprano.

* Brahms and Mozart, Nov. 13: Rossini, Overture to Barber of Seville; Mozart Oboe Concerto; Murphy, Black Sand (HPO commission); Brahms, Symphony No. 2. James Sommerville, conductor; Sarah Jeffrey, oboe.

* Beethoven's Third, Jan. 15, 2011: Silvestrov, Silent Music; Sibelius, Violin Concerto, Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 "Eroica." James Sommerville, conductor; Ewald Cheung, violin.

* Janina Plays Chopin, March 5, 2011: Schumann, Carnaval; Chopin, Piano Concerto No. 2; Ravel, Pavane for a Dead Princess; Schumann, Symphony No. 3 "Rhenish." Alain Trudel, conductor; Janina Fialkowska, piano.

* Symphonie Fantastique, April 16, 2011: Kati Agocs (new commission); L. Boulanger, D'un matin de printemps and D'un soir triste; Respighi, Fountains of Rome; Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique. Conductor, James Sommerville.

Pops Series

* Songs That Tell A Story, with James Keelaghan, Oct. 30: The HPO backs one of Canada's leading folk singer-songwriters. Conductor, James Sommerville.

* A Holiday Celebration, Dec. 18: The HPO joins the Hamilton Children's Choir and other guest performers for a seasonal tradition.

* The Music of Henry Mancini and More, Feb. 12/2011: The Darcy Hepner Jazz Orchestra joins the HPO to celebrate the music of Henry Mancini. Conductor, Bruce Hangen; Darcy Hepner, saxophone.

* And the Winner Is ... May 14/2011. Memorable moments from the award-winning films as selected by fans. Submit your favourite film music at hpo.org for a chance to hear your selection performed. Conductor, James Sommerville.

Note: All Masterworks and Pop Series' concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. at Hamilton Place.

Chamber Series

* A Little Night Music, Nov. 6: Haydn, Symphony No. 8 "Le soir;" Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik; Schoenberg, Transfigured Night. Conductor, James Sommerville.

* Love, April 9/2011: Wagner, Siegfried Idyll; D'indy, Chansons et Danses; Omar Daniel, Neruda Canciones; Mahler, Ruckert Lieder. Conductor, James Sommerville; Miriam Khalil, soprano.

Note: Chamber Series concerts are at Central Presbyterian Church, 165 Charlton Ave. W., at 7:30 p.m.

Special Event

* Classical Mystery Tour, March 19/2011, 7:30 p.m.: Original members of Broadway's Beatlemania perform Beatles' hits live with the HPO. At Hamilton Place. Tickets $38.25, $48.25 and $58.25, including HST.

For tickets and more information regarding HPO events, call 905-526-7756 or visit hpo.org.