February is . . .

Ludovic Morlot

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Ludovic Merlot, guest conductor
Jonathan Biss, piano
Feb. 24 -- 11 a.m.
Feb. 25 -- 8 p.m.
Music Hall

Guest conductor Ludovic Merlot (newly appointed music director of the Seattle Symphony) leads the CSO in Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral"), "From the Cradle to the Grave" by Franz Liszt and 
Schumann's Piano Concerto with guest artist Jonathan Biss.  Tickets begin at $10. Call (513) 381-3300 or order at 
www.cincinnatisymphony.org.
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CCM Choral Series
Berlioz, "The Damnation of Faust"
Earl Rivers, conductor
Feb. 25 -- 8 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium

Earl Rivers, director of choral studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, conducts Berlioz' dramatic "Damnation of Faust," with video specially created by Raul Barcelona of the CCM division of Electronic Media. Performers include the CCM Chamber Choir, CCM Chorale, CCM 
Philharmonia Orchestra and the Cincinnati Children's Choir, with CCM faculty artist Ken Shaw, baritone, and student soloists. Admission is $12, $5 for non-UC students, at the door. UC students free.
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Chris Botti

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Steven Reineke, guest conductor
Chris Botti, trumpet
Feb. 26, 2012 -- 7 p.m.
Music Hall

Star trumpeter Chris Botti guests with the Cincinnati Pops under guest conductor Steven Reineke in this one-night only, jazz-flavored program.  Reineke, music director of the New York Pops, has just added principal pops conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to his considerable list of conducting commitments, which, in addition, include principal pops conductor of the National Symphony and the Long Beach and Modesto Symphonies.  A composer and arranger as well, Reineke is former associate conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. Tickets start at $25 ($20 for students and children), available at the Music Hall box office, the Pops web site at www.cincinnatipops.org, or call (513) 381-3300.
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CCM Musical Theatre
Stephen Sondheim, "Into the Woods"
Aubrey Berg, director
Feb. 23-25, March 1-3 -- 8 p.m.
Feb. 25, 26, March 3, 4 -- 2 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium

Sondheim's delicious fairy-tale inspired musical comes to life onstage at CCM in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Patricia A. Corbett Chair of Musical Theatre.  Aubrey Berg (holder of the chair) will direct, with musical direction by Steven Goers, choreography by Patti James, 
set design by Ryan Howell and costumes by Dean Mogle. Tickets are $27 and $29, students $17 and $19, student rush $11 (beginning at 1 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 3). Call (513) 381-3300, or visit www.ccm.uc.edu.