PITT'S DEAR FRIENDS PRESENTS: "YESTERDAYS: STEPHEN FOSTER AND THE BEATLES"

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 8 -- The University of Pittsburgh's ensemble-in-residence Dear Friends kicks off its annual concert series on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2:30 p.m. in Pitt's Stephen Foster Memorial Auditorium with an unusual program that juxtaposes the music of Pittsburgh's favorite son and the most popular band out of Liverpool.

"Yesterdays: Stephen Foster and The Beatles" will explore the similarities between songs such as Foster's "Nellie Bly" and The Beatles' "Dear Prudence," "Yellow Submarine," and others.

"Although the Beatles were first and essentially a rock and roll band, what they loved and heard in rock and roll was the potential for summing up a long tradition of popular styles," said James Ferla, Dear Friends director. "Their artistry was inspired by the entire spectrum that stretched from ragtime to Broadway, from a desire to synthesize the best of rock and roll with the larger heritage of pop they saw as its backdrop. Foster was also inspired by diverse traditions -- from European opera to the music of African-Americans brought to these shores as slaves," Ferla said.

Dear Friends recreates the charm and liveliness of bygone eras with voice, piano and guitar, with a repertoire of American music heard in the home, on stage, and in the market square.

Tickets for this new concert event are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for students and children. For reservations or additional information, please call 412-624-4100.

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