Dirk Brossé performs twice in Hollywood Bowl sell-out

The Star Wars film series, written and partly directed by George Lucas, is one of the most popular ever and was beaten only by two others at the box office, Harry Potter and James Bond. Since the first film came out in 1977, the franchise has not seen fan numbers dwindle at all. Throughout the years, the Star Wars craze has even spread to other media such as books, comic strips, TV series and video games. In this "expanded universe" as fans call it, the music composed by John Williams (Jaws, Superman, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan and Harry Potter) plays a crucial role. This concert series allows fans to enjoy both the music and scenes from these classics in a unique manner. The Hollywood Bowl is a legendary amphitheatre in Los Angeles which mainly hosts music events throughout the year. It opened its doors in 1922 and has hosted performances by major artists such as Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Kylie Minogue and Cher. John Williams attended the last concert hosted at the Hollywood Bowl. During the closing act, Dirk Brossé invited Williams to conduct an encore, which was met with a standing ovation lasting several minutes. (The photo enclosed is of John Williams and Dirk Brossé after the concert). Dirk Brossé studied at the Music Conservatories in Ghent and Brussels, and subsequently specialised in Orchestral Conducting in Maastricht, Vienna and Cologne. He has conducted the leading Belgian orchestras, including the Brussels Philharmonic, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, the orchestra of the Flemish Opera and the National Orchestra of Belgium. Worldwide, he has conducted major orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, l'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, the KBS Symphony Orchestra of South Korea, The World Symphony Orchestra in Japan, The Ulster Symphony Orchestra of Northern Ireland, The St Petersburg Camerata, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lyon Opera Orchestra, The Israel Camerata and the National Orchestras of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. His collaboration with the Ghent Film Festival, which spans more than two decades, has earned him the title of Music Director, which was conferred earlier this year. Currently, Dirk Brossé is Musical Director of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. In October 2011, Dirk Brossé will again conduct two film music concerts during the Ghent Film Festival. On Wednesday 12 October, he will be conducting the National Orchestra of Belgium for the concert 'Film Music Masterpieces: Maestros of Suspense' at the De Bijloke Music Centre. The programme includes music composed by Bernard Herrmann for Psycho, Vertigo and Taxi Driver, and Franz Waxman's music for Rebecca, Rear Window and Sunset Boulevard. On Saturday 22 October, Dirk Brossé will conduct the Brussels Philharmonic during the 11th World Soundtrack Awards & Concert, the closing event of the 38th Ghent Film Festival which takes place from 11 to 22 October.