Radcliffe, Watson to appear in Mexico with Williams

A friend called me at 10:30 a.m. to tell me that I had to buy a local newspaper (one of the most important ones here): Reforma. I went for it, searched for the "People" section.. and there it was. An article about John Williams' concerts in México, which also confirms us that Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson will be there as special guests.

Here's the translation:

Mexico City, Mexico (October 15 2003) - The American music composer, John Williams, winner of 5 Oscars, will present on December 19, 20 and 21 at the Silvestre Revueltas Room, in the Cultural Centre Ollin Yoliztli, to direct the Filarmonic Orchestra of Mexico City, playing the Harry Potter music.

The main actors of the films, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson (Harry and Hermione) will be there as special guests.

"It all came out as a circumstancial idea, because I am a total Harry Potter fan. After having a chat with John Williams, he liked the proposal, and there're going to be three concerts. There's a chance that an extra date will be opened at the Ollin Yoliztli, the house of the Philharmonic," commented José María Álvarez, programming director of the Orchestra.

A Magical Evening with Harry Potter is the oficial name of the recitals that will take place with the purpose of celebrating Christmas with children, explained Álvarez.

That's why, he said, that the children will be asked to dress as wizards, to give a warmer and cozier ambiance to the event.

The concerts will be focused in different sections of the original music of the films Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and will also include music from Dukas (from Walt Disney's Fantasia), and some fragments of The Nutcracker, from Tchaikovsky.

"We'll make a special edition with images from both movies that will accompany the musical interpretation, which will be directed by John," said Álvarez.

The program of each concert will have as a first part, the music from the second tape of The Wizard's Apprentice, then the music from The Nutcracker, followed by the music from Harry Potter.

"Even though the third movie of the Harry Potter saga was supposed to be released in December, that's not confirmed yet, and it might be released until March due to marketing plans. Anyways, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have confirmed that they're coming to be present in the recitals," said Álvarez.

Williams, who has the record of being the person with the most Oscar nominees (47), has won only five Oscars and composing the music of movies like Star Wars, E.T., JAWS, Indiana Jones, and Schindler's List recognizes him. He has also won 18 Grammys, two Emmys and three Golden Globes.

Even though Bellas Artes and the Nacional Auditorium were contempled for the presentations of A Magical Evening with Harry Potter, due to dating reasons, the presentations will be done in the Ollin Yoliztli.

Tickets are available for sale there, and they cost 250 Pesos.