John Hagen

John Hagen

Tenor John Hagen is internationally known for his operatic arias, but when he takes the Neumann Auditorium stage on Saturday, Oct. 21, he has an eclectic collection of popular Broadway musical numbers and pop hits built into the repertoire.

“Stage and Screen: John Hagen in Concert,” which kicks off the Wartburg Community Symphony’s 71st season, begins at 7 p.m. on the Wartburg College campus. Soprano Bárbara Padilla, known for her unforgettable performances on “America’s Got Talent,” will join Hagen and the symphony for a few numbers.

“When John and I were planning this concert, I told him to select music that makes his heart sing,” said Rebecca Nederhiser, Wartburg Community Symphony conductor. “We are excited to feature John and celebrate his family’s legacy.”

Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at wartburg.edu/symphony. Tickets also are available for the meet-and-greet reception with Hagen following the concert.

Proceeds from the reception will benefit the Alan and Patricia Hagen Legacy Music Scholarship honoring his parents. The first scholarship recipient will be announced during the concert.

Hagen, who grew up in Waverly, made a name for himself as a member of the Texas Tenors, but it was his parents, Alan and Patricia, who fostered his love of music from a young age. Alan Hagen was a Waverly-Shell Rock schools choral director, and Patricia was a private piano and vocal teacher, vocal coach and accompanist.

The evening will include music from “The Magnificent Seven,” “Les Miserables,” “West Side Story,” “South Pacific” and more.

“This won’t just be one-third of the Texas Tenors singing Texas Tenors music,” said Linda Moeller, a symphony board member. “This is great music that everyone will want to hear.”