Frankenstein

Presented by the Friends of the Athens Symphony & Classic Entertainment

Frankenstein is coming back to life! Presented by the Friends of the Athens Symphony and Classic Entertainment, be captivated as the iconic 1931 movie is played while members of the Athens Symphony Orchestra perform in sync with the film's legendary score by Michael Shapiro. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind experience and the opportunity to watch your favorite green, sentient creature!

“The audience was riveted to their seats. The power of the live music with the classic film was hypnotic.” ~Rob Tomaro, Cashbox Canada Magazine.

More About Michael Shapiro

Praised by The New York Times for “possessing a rare melodic gift” Michael Shapiro is a distinguished American composer, conductor, pianist, and musical scholar whose work spans opera, symphonic and chamber music, and film.

With over 100 compositions to his name, Shapiro’s works include music for solo voice, piano, chamber ensembles, orchestra, film, and opera. His acclaimed score for the classic film Frankenstein premiered with The Chappaqua Orchestra under his baton at Lincoln Center’s Jacob Burns Film Center and has since been performed over 75 times worldwide—including by the LA Opera and Atlanta Opera—in multiple versions.

Shapiro's music has been presented by major ensembles such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Charleston Symphony, and Houston Symphony. His chamber music has been recorded by leading groups like the Hawthorne String Quartet, and his works have been broadcast by NPR, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Sender Freies Berlin.

As a conductor, Michael Shapiro has appeared internationally, performing standard and contemporary repertoire alike. He has conducted in London, Berlin, Siena, and across the United States. He also served as Music Consultant to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, curating music by composers affected by World War II.

Shapiro studied composition with Elie Siegmeister, Vincent Persichetti, and Sir Malcolm Arnold, and trained in conducting with Carl Bamberger and Harold Farberman. He continues to perform as a pianist and accompanist and remains an influential figure in today’s contemporary classical music landscape.