#operacolumbus

Since the CSO is in the news this week, having named the Bulgarian maestro Rossen Milanov as Music Director (replacing outgoing Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni) after an extensive 10 month search, I thought this would be a good time to talk about our Orchestra.

Full disclosure - I've had full season subscriptions to the Masterworks series for a few years now and absolutely love watching and listening to these talented and hardworking musicians.

The Masterworks Series (the classical series, as opposed to the contemporary "Pops" series) kicks off later this month with a production called Twisted, featuring an unprecedented collaboration between The CSO, Opera Columbus, BalletMET and The Columbus Symphony Chorus.  From there, the Masterworks Series will continue through Spring with a series of 11 more concerts, each with a run of Friday through Sunday, downtown at The Ohio Theatre on East State Street and The Southern Theatre on East Main Street.

Additionally, The CSO began a series of events last year called "Happy Hour with the CSO".  HH with the CSO features a free 60-90 minute 'after work' concert and free appetizers at The Ohio Theatre.  Currently, there are HH shows planned for Thursday 02 October 2014 and Thursday 16 April 2015 with the bar opening at 5:30p and the concert starting at 6:30p.

The CSO is an amazing cultural resource in our community and well worth checking out (solid date night as well - especially if you meander over to East Gay Street or South Fourth Street for dinner and take a little stroll along the Scioto Mile or through the Commons).

I also recommend arriving at least 1hr early before the Masterworks shows so you can listen to a 25-30min presentation by WOSU Classical host Christopher Purdy.  Mr. Purdy is always informative and entertaining while putting the pieces of music, composers, conductors and guest musicians into context for the audience to gain a richer understanding of the evening's performance.