IT was a triple celebration at Lighthouse, Poole, this week.
The acclaimed Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra opened its 2016/2017 season under the baton of chief conductor, Kirill Karabits.
The concert with a distinctive Italian theme was the first event in the newly refurbished arts venue which has undergone a £5.3m revamp, although contractors were on site until virtually the last minute.
The packed house enjoyed the season opener featuring Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and William Walton’s Symphony No. 2.
Karabits told the Daily Echo during a break in rehearsals yesterday afternoon: “I am really looking forward to the season. We are going to have some great new experiences.”
Dougie Scarfe, the BSO’s chief executive, said: “We have a tremendous season in store showcasing great music and the wonderful talents of the orchestra. We are also building on a lot of things we have been doing with Kirill over the past few years.”
Today the BSO records Walton’s Symphonies No 1 and 2 at the Lighthouse for a new CD, the first time Karabits has recorded British music with the orchestra.
“It’s another exciting, signature event for us,” said Mr Scarfe.
Also looking forward to 2016/2017 is former principal cellist for nearly 30 years, Roger Preston, who is back with the BSO after illness last year.
“I’m delighted to be returning although I won’t be playing quite so much,” said Roger, who is also a musician director on the BSO board.
“There is so much for the audiences and the musicians to look forward to,” he said.
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