California Symphony Kicks Off 2014-15 Season With 'Orchestra Spectacular' In Walnut Creek

Announcement from the California Symphony:

The California Symphony opens its 2014-2015 concert season on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 4 PM with Orchestra Spectacular, led by the Symphony’s Music Director Donato Cabrera at the Lesher Center for the Arts.

The program features Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Saint-Saëns’ Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila, Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture, Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, and Ravel’s Bolero.

“I’m very excited that we’re performing these particular works for this opening night concert. Very little room has been left in modern concert programming for larger symphonic pieces like Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, or Ravel’s Bolero, or Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances and, yet, these are all pieces we know and love as concertgoers and musicians. Our audience will experience the full spectrum of symphonic sound with these musical tours de force,” said Donato Cabrera.

Of the California Symphony’s closing concert of the season last May, the San Jose Mercury News raved, “Donato Cabrera has been leading the California Symphony for a relatively short time . . . but he’s forged a remarkably cohesive ensemble . . . his fluid, energetic podium style continues to yield forceful results.”

Prior to the Opening Concert, the California Symphony will present its annual free outdoor community concert, Target Pops on the Plaza, on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 PM at Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. Soprano Lisa Vroman will perform with the California Symphony, conducted by Donato Cabrera.

Now in its 15th year, this free concert has been presented to varied audiences of more than 5,000 people. This summer’s concert will include a variety of musical genres, including swing, jazz, film and Broadway.

Families can enjoy the many restaurants surrounding the park as well as the Farmers’ Market and food vendors. This concert is produced in partnership with Target, the City of Concord, the Lesher Foundation and the Contra Costa Times.

Ticket Information:
All California Symphony season concerts are held at 4 PM on Sunday afternoons (unless otherwise designated) at the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek (1601 Civic Drive). For a full season schedule, visit www.californiasymphony.org.

Single tickets and four-concert subscription packages can be purchased by calling the Lesher Center ticket office at 925-943-7469. Single tickets are now available and can be purchased online atwww.lesherartscenter.org or by calling 925-943-7469. Ticket prices are $40-$70; $15 for youth, 18 and under, and college students with an ID (discount based on availability).

Program and artists subject to change.