On July 25, Pete Townshend announced that he is bringing the Classic version of The Who‘s Quadrophenia to U.S. audiences for five performances in September at prestigious music venues in Lenox, MA, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
These special productions, that blend the 1973 rock opera with orchestral accompaniment, will feature Townshend, Billy Idol and tenor Alfie Boe.
Classic Quadrophenia had its world premiere in 2015 at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The orchestra members are not expected to smash their instruments. (Cartoon by David Skinner; used with permission)
The new performances debut September 2 in Lenox at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops Orchestra and conductor Keith Lockhart. On September 9 and 10, the production will be performed at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, led by conductor Robert Ziegler. The Chicago date, at the Rosemont Theatre, to benefit The Who charity, Teen Cancer America, features the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra, Chicago Children’s Choir and also features guest singer Eddie Vedder. The final performance, at the Greek Theatre, in Los Angeles on September 16, will also be led by conductor Robert Ziegler.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing Classic Quadrophenia stateside through the month of September,” said Townshend. “Melding the contrasting sounds of Quadrophenia with a symphony has been a really unique and powerful way to reach a wide audience of classical and pop music lovers alike. I couldn’t be more excited to see it continue in the U.S.”
Tickets are available here and here.
The album features such Who classics as “The Real Me,” “The Punk Meets the Godfather,” “5:15,” “Doctor Jimmy” and “Love Reign O’er Me.”
The Who’s historic rock opera Quadrophenia was originally released as a double album in 1973 and has remained a classic rock favorite. The album, later turned into a 1979 feature film and theatrical production, follows an angst-ridden young man in London who creates a new life for himself as a member of Britain’s Mod movement.
Watch Boe and Townshend perform “Drowned” in London in 2015
Watch Idol tackle the Keith Moon vocals on “Bell Boy” at Royal Albert Hall in 2015
Related: See where Quadrophenia ranks on our list of best double albums of all-time
Watch the trailer for the 2015 Royal Albert Hall performance
Pete Townshend’s Classic Quadrophenia Tour Dates
Sept 02 – Lenox, MA – Tanglewood
Sept 09 – New York, NY – Metropolitan Opera House
Sept 10 – New York, NY – Metropolitan Opera House
Sept 13 – Chicago, IL – Rosemont Theatre
Sept 16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
Watch the trailer for the Classic Quadrophenia album
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