The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is delighted to open their 2021-2022 Concert Season on October 16^th with “Vivaldi in Venice” presented by TSYS. The concert will begin at 7:30 PM and will be performed in the Bill Heard Theatre at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.  

 Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo commented, “The music of the Italian Baroque is the equivalent of throwing open the curtains and letting the glorious sunlight stream in. This music is emotionally direct, transparent in texture, and easy to assimilate. Antonio Vivaldi was the master of this era. Among his works are over four hundred concertos for various instruments. We have chosen four of the best ones, including concertos for two trumpets, piccolo, guitar, and violin ("Autumn" from The Four Seasons). We are delighted to present them for your enjoyment.”

The evening will begin with one of Vivaldi’s final works: Sinfonia in G Major. Constructed in 1740 to honor the son of the King of Poland, its use of catchy melodies, intense energy, and dramatic flair is the perfect way to kick off our season. The second sinfonia of the night, Sinfonia in B Minor, shows off a different side of Vivaldi’s composition style through the use of harmonic instability. While the piece is only three to four minutes in length, it showcases Vivaldi’s compositional flair for the dramatic.

Erica Pirtle, second flute of the CSO, will perform the Concerto for Piccolo in C Major showcasing her flourishing technical abilities in front of the orchestra. Pirtle is also a member of the Savannah Philharmonic, and has performed with the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Pops, Augusta Symphony, LaGrange Symphony, and Georgia Symphony. 

Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major will feature extremely quick and intricate passages by CSO trumpeteers Kevin Lyons and Ryan Moser. Lyons has a dual passion for both classical and jazz music and is a founding member of the funk band Bumpin’ the Mango. He performs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet , Greenville Symphony, and has been featured as soloist with the Georgia Symphony, Atlanta Pops, and Gwinnett Philharmonic. Moser, while primarily trained as an orchestral musician, has experience in a multitude of musical settings, having performed with such artists as Al Jarreau, Frankie Valli, Warren Haynes, Jordan Smith, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Allen Vizzutti, Joe Gransden, Rex Richardson, Philip Smith and John Driskell Hopkins. Additionally, Moser is an Artist-in-Residence at Kennesaw State University.

Recognized internationally for his work as a performer, instructor, and composer, Dr. Andrew Zohn will be highlighted in the Concerto for Guitar in D Major. Zohn is a faculty member and Jo and George Jeter Distinguished Chair in Guitar at Columbus State University (CSU) Schwob School of Music. Having performed on five continents as a soloist and chamber musician, a recent critic said: Zohn…easily demonstrated how he is one of the most sought after performers on the classical guitar as his fingers deftly plucked some of the most subtle of tones on the instrument. - The Star, Kuala Lumpur.

The evening will conclude with the popular piece, Concerto for Violin in F Major, also known as “Autumn” from The Four Seasons featuring violinist Boris Abramov. Hailed as “a violinist of outstanding technical accomplishment and exceptional musical talent” by Fanfare Magazine, Abramov has established himself in recent years as a young promising artist, performing across the world as a soloist as well as a chamber and orchestral musician. At the age of 17, Abramov began his studies at the CSU Schwob School of Music where he completed his bachelor's, master’s and artist diploma degrees with the renowned violinist and pedagogue Sergiu Schwartz. Abramov currently serves as principal second violinist of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and as Lecturer of Violin at the Schwob School of Music.

Tickets can be purchased online at csoga.org/21-22season or in-person at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts located at 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga. Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Broadway entrance). Single ticket prices range from $10-$39. Subscribers save up to 20% off the adult single ticket price, get first pick of the best seats, can purchase additional tickets at a discount, and avoid any online ticketing fees. This concert will be socially distanced in the theater. Limited pairs of seats are available to purchase online. Parties of 3 or more can purchase a block of tickets in-person through the RiverCenter Box Office.

Due to the recent increase in Delta variant COVID-19 cases, the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts requires all staff, visitors and patrons to wear a mask at all times regardless of vaccination status with no exceptions. The theater and all public areas are sanitized after each performance. Persons experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who tested positive within the past 15 days are discouraged from entering the facility.

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, formed in 1855, is the second orchestra founded in the nation and the first founded in Georgia. The CSO, under the direction of George Del Gobbo, has long been considered one of the Southeast’s premier musical ensembles. The CSO’s performance venue at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Bill Heard Theatre, seats 2,000 patrons and provides a state-of-the-art visual and acoustic experience. For more information about the CSO visit our website at csoga.org.