The Columbus Symphony has already sold out its Tony Bennett and John Williams shows, held a popular group of listener-appreciation events called Symphony Week for the first time, and hosted the breathtaking Broadway Divas, and the season hasn't even officially started yet!

The Columbus Symphony will present its 2007-08 Opening Weekend in grand style. On Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in the historic Ohio Theatre, Music Director Junichi Hirokami, the Symphony and the 130-member Columbus Symphony Chorus will usher in the new season with Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Choral, in its entirety, including the stirring Ode To Joy.

The Symphony will welcome Kelley Nassief, soprano; Ann McMahon Quintero, mezzo soprano; Gary Lehman, tenor; and Andrew Gangestad, bass, as the evening's featured vocalists. It has been three years since the Symphony last performed this masterpiece.

The festive weekend will continue at the Ohio Theatre on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. with the first show of the Classical Series, O'Riley Plays Mozart. This program will include Beethoven's Overture to Coriolan, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27, K. 595 and Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique.

Pianist Christopher will be the show's featured soloist.

Tickets for opening weekend are on sale now and can be purchased at www.columbussymphony.com, by phone at 614-228-8600 or at the Box Office located in the Annex between Hyatt on Capitol Square and City Center.

The Symphony’s Classical Series will also host noted pianist Alexander Kobrin in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of staggering virtuosity. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is known as one of the great “Everests” of classical works for piano. Some of the chords it contains are impossible for most pianists to reach, much less master. Kobrin and the Columbus Symphony, under the masterful baton of Music Director Junichi Hirokami, will perform the Rachmaninoff concerto on Oct. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 21 at 3 p.m.

 
Still in his 20s, Alexander Kobrin is already a (2005) Gold Medalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He quickly followed his win with a U.S. recital tour at many of the nation’s most prestigious venues. This season, he returns with an impressive 50-date tour. Kobrin’s accomplishments also include dates with the New York Philharmonic, the Aspen Music Festival, the International Chopin Piano Festival, the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, and the Celebrity Series of Boston. He also teaches at the Moscow State Gnessis Academy of Music.

Tickets and season subscriptions are on sale now and range from $18-$60. Tickets can be purchased at www.ColumbusSymphony.com, by phone at (614)228-8600, or at the Box Office located in the Annex between Hyatt on Capitol Square and City Center.