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2023-2024 PROGRAMS October 16 Roderick Cox, guest conductor Celebrating Macon's Bicentennial (1823-2023) Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E major, Op. 55 "Eroica" Copland "Appalachian Spring," with "Macon Portrait" by Andrew Silver commissioned for Macon200 We toast the opening of the MMSO season and Macon's 200th birthday with a thrilling opening led by native son Roderick Cox. Beethoven's Eroica is a boundary-breaking symphony that ushered in the Romantic era, while Copland's "Appalachian Spring" will be the backdrop for "Macon Portrait," a special staged documentary play written to honor Macon's legacy and future by Andrew Silver for Macon200. November 20 Filippo Ciabatti, guest conductor Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 Symphonic performance of "The Color Purple" The MMSO welcomes Filippo Ciabatti, winner of the 2020 American Prize in Conducting, in a program featuring one of the best known classical symphonies, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Then the symphony joins members of the cast of Theatre Macon's 2022 production of "The Color Purple" back to the stage, in a reprise of hits from the musical with a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music, and blues. February 12 Keitaro Harada, guest conductor Verdi "La forza del destino" Overture Yoshimatsu Atom Hearts Club Suite No. 1 Ginastera Four Dances from "Estancia," Op. 8a Márquez Danzón No. 2 Ravel Boléro Welcome back Mercer alumnus Keitaro Harada, artistic director of the Savannah Philarmonic, Assistant Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony, and winner of the 2023 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, for the most romantic date in town before Valentine's Day. Swoon over an eclectic international program, with Maestro Harada leading the MMSO through pieces from Italian, French, Mexican, Japanese, and Argentinean composers including Ravel's unforgettable dance piece "Boléro." April 15 Jeffrey Turner, conductor Mercer University Concerto Competition Winner Mussorgsky "Pictures at an Exhibition" arr. Ravel The season concludes with the Mercer University Concerto Competition student winner, as well as the artistic suite, "Pictures at an Exhibition." Ravel's arrangement for large orchestra is the model of technical brilliance, creative vision, and thoughtfulness for Mussorgsky's original intent for the great piano work. YOUR TICKET TO THE HOTTEST SHOW IN TOWN All shows at The Grand Opera House at 7:30 p.m. $25-35 Adult | FREE for students of all ages with any valid ID Bring a group! Significant savings for groups of 10 or more. Contact the box office to reserve your group now. Subscribe & Save: $112 premium season seats $78 regular season seats $60 Mercer Faculty/Staff and Young Patron's Circle (under 40) 478-301-5470 • mcduffie.mercer.edu/symphony