From ‘Batman’ to ‘Swan Lake’: Marin Symphony puts together playful program

Marin Symphony’s upcoming pops concert, “Bats & Bugs & Birds, Oh My!,” features a program of critter-themed pieces from the classical era to today.

“This program highlights the full spectrum of what a symphony orchestra can do,” said Stuart Chafetz, Marin Symphony’s principal pops conductor. “It’s rooted in the classical tradition, but it’s playful, cinematic and filled with music audiences instantly recognize.”

The family-friendly program kicks off with the overture from Johann Strauss II’s 1874 operetta “Die Fledermaus,” or “The Bat,” followed by two iconic themes from the “Batman” franchise: Neal Hefti’s iconic theme for the 1960s TV series and Danny Elfman’s theme from Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” film.

The next set of selections honors the humble spider, commencing with the finale from Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 “Italian.” This piece is a tarantella, an Italian dance said to cure the ill effects of a tarantula bite. Two themes from the “Spider-Man” franchise follow: Bob Harris and Paul Francis Webster’s theme from the 1967 animated “Spider-Man” series and Danny Elfman’s theme from Sam Raimi’s 2002 live-action film.

Selections from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and Gioachino Rossini’s “The Thieving Magpie” follow, along with Leroy Anderson’s orchestral arrangement of the folk song “Chicken Reel” and John Philip Sousa’s “Invincible Eagle March.”

The program concludes with Buddy Holly and the Crickets’ rock ‘n’ roll standard “That’ll Be the Day,” Herb Alpert’s “Spanish Flea” and the orchestral Beatles medley “In Love with the Beatles,” arranged by Sam Shoup.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall at 20 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael. Admission is $50 to $97 for adults and $25 for ages 17 and younger. Go to marinsymphony.org.