Symphony's 50th Anniversary Celebration Feb. 26

Posted: Thu 4:12 PM, Jan 27, 2011

The Meridian Symphony marks its 50th Anniversary Feb. 26 with a performance at the MSU Riley Center, featuring Itzhak Perlman, one of the world’s most notable violinists of the 20th century, performing
the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor and theme from the movie “Schindler’s List”.

The evening begins with a Gala, hosted by the Meridian Symphony Association, Inc. and Meridian Rotary Club.

The celebration features a tribute to the pioneers of the organization, live music, and a variety of heavy hors d'oeuvres.

Proceeds from the event benefit Meridian Symphony Orchestra and Rotary Club’s “End Polio Now” program.

According to MSO, Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. In 2009, Mr. Perlman was honored to take part in the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. President Reagan granted him a "Medal of Liberty" in 1986, and President Clinton awarded him the "National Medal of Arts" in December 2000. In 2003, he was a Kennedy Center Honoree. In 2007, he performed at the State Dinner for Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, hosted by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush at the White House.

The opening number on this night will be significant for those who were present at the initial MSO concert in 1962. It is Domenico Cimarosa’s Overture to “The Secret Marriage”, his most famous opera.

The concert is funded in part by the Riley Foundation and the Phil Hardin Foundation.

For more information about this special evening, please visit www.meridiansymphonyorchestra.com, or call 601-693-2224. For tickets to the concert, call MSU Riley Center at 601-696-2200.

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