Evening at Pops
Encyclopedia
Evening at Pops is one of the longest running programs on PBS
. The program was a public television version of a variety show
, hosted by a world-renowned orchestra
, the Boston Pops
. It was taped before live audiences in Boston's Symphony Hall.
(1970–79), John Williams
(1979–95) and Keith Lockhart
(1996–2005) -- appeared. Gene Galusha
provided narration and announced most of the pieces played.
, did not want to continue funding the nearly $1 million production cost of each episode.
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
. The program was a public television version of a variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
, hosted by a world-renowned orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, the Boston Pops
Boston Pops Orchestra
The Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music....
. It was taped before live audiences in Boston's Symphony Hall.
Format
Most shows featured a guest star, usually a well known singer or musician, most commonly within popular music or sometimes rock, folk, jazz or other musical genres. After one or two opening numbers by the Pops, the guest would be brought onstage. Usually the guest would sing several their own hits or songs associated with them, with accompaniment by the Pops. After concluding their set, the guest artist would leave the stage, and the Pops would play one or two closing numbers. The three men who served as Boston Pops Conductor during the show's run -- Arthur FiedlerArthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler was a long-time conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a symphony orchestra that specializes in popular and light classical music. With a combination of musicianship and showmanship, he made the Boston Pops one of the best-known orchestras in the country...
(1970–79), John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
(1979–95) and Keith Lockhart
Keith Lockhart
For the baseball player, see Keith Lockhart Keith Lockhart , to Newton Frederick and Marilyn Jean Woodyard Lockhart, is an American orchestral conductor....
(1996–2005) -- appeared. Gene Galusha
Gene Galusha
Eugene B. “Gene” Galusha was a part-time Jewish actor and full-time narrator who has worked for PBS, ESPN, Court TV, Discovery Channel, A&E, ABC, The Learning Channel and NFL Films. His credits include:As actor...
provided narration and announced most of the pieces played.
Demise
The long-running show ended after its 2004-2005 season because the Pops' parent organization, the Boston Symphony OrchestraBoston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
, did not want to continue funding the nearly $1 million production cost of each episode.