Jacksonville Symphony to perform ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ in concert Feb. 16-17

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The Jacksonville Symphony will perform “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in concert Feb. 16-17. See and experience the film like never before, with John Williams’ score performed live to picture by a full symphony orchestra.

The year is 1936, and professor of archeology and “obtainer of rare antiquities” Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is tasked by U.S. Army Intelligence to recover the legendary Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of the Nazis. Jones’ quest takes him to Nepal and Egypt, reuniting him with an old friend (John Rhys-Davies), an old foe (Paul Freeman) and an ex-flame (Karen Allen), who falls somewhere in between. Armed with his hat, whip and wits, Jones must face formidable enemies – and impossible odds – to save the day and the world.

In a career spanning more than five decades, Williams has become one of America’s most accomplished and successful composers for film and for the concert stage, and he remains one of the nation’s most distinguished and contributive musical voices. He has composed the music for more than 100 films, including all eight “Star Wars” films, the first three “Harry Potter” films, “Superman,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Home Alone” and “The Book Thief.”

His 45-year artistic partnership with director Steven Spielberg has resulted in many of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and successful films, including “Schindler’s List,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” the “Indiana Jones” films, “Saving Private Ryan,” “Lincoln,” “The BFG” and “The Post.” In addition to composing themes for four Olympic Games, Williams served as music director of the Boston Pops Orchestra for 14 seasons and remains its laureate conductor.

He has received five Academy Awards and 51 Oscar nominations (making him the second-most nominated person in the history of the Oscars), seven British Academy Awards, 24 Grammys, four Golden Globes and five Emmys. In 2016, he received the 44th Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute – the first time a composer was honored with this award.

The Jacksonville Symphony’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” concert will take place on Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Both concerts will take place in Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville. For further information or to purchase tickets, call the ticket office at (904) 354-5547, or visit www.jaxsymphony.org