FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2009 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra contacts: Melissa A.E.

Sanders (404) 733-4846, melissa.sanders@woodruffcenter.org Laura D. Soldati (404) 733-4105, laura.soldati@woodruffcenter.org NEWS/PHOTO ALERT ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO OFFER 4,000 FREE LAWN TICKETS AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009 FREE TICKETS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL FULTON COUNTY RESIDENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FULTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL Concert To Close 2009 Summer Classical Season And Conclude With Celebratory Fireworks ASO Program To Feature Sixteen-Year-Old Guest Conductor Ilyich Rivas In His U.S. Professional Debut WHO: Ilyich Rivas, guest conductor Elena Urioste, violin Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will conclude its 2009 Summer Classical Season by offering 4,000 free lawn tickets to all Fulton County residents. The Rising Stars concert features, 16-year-old Venezuelan conductor Ilyich Rivas making his U.S. professional conducting debut, as well as violinist and Sphinx competition winner Elena Urioste. The nights program includes Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 4, Verdis Vespri Overture, and Mendelssohns Violin Concerto. The evenings performance will conclude with celebratory fireworks by Pyrotecnico. Plus, the ASOs amphitheatre experience featuring: Live on-site broadcasts and textmessaging for intermission interviews, Top of the Lawn conversations, and the popular Family Four Packs $75 deal. The Rising Stars concert also features Russian themed picnic baskets and Star Fruit Salad for the evening. WHERE: WHEN: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta, GA, 30009 Rising Stars Concert: Saturday, August 15 8:00 p.m. Top of the Lawn pre-concert event 7:40 p.m. ###

WHAT:

Please RSVP to contacts listed above. All press must report to press check-in table located at the East Gate near the box office (via drop off driveway). Upon presenting proper press credentials, parking passes will be distributed. All working press must be escorted by a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra staff. No flash or camera lighting is allowed during concert. News crews may shoot up to 15 minutes of footage for up to 3 minutes of usage.