‘A Joyous Return’: Clinton Symphony retakes the stage Saturday

CLINTON, Iowa – The Clinton Symphony Orchestra returns to live performances Saturday, opening its 68th season with a concert featuring conductor Brian Dollinger as double bass soloist, and Istvan Szabo, faculty violist at Western Illinois University.

The two will perform a Sinfonia Concertante written for those instruments and orchestra by 18th century composer Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf.

The concert, billed as “A Joyous Return,” begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Vernon Cook Theater at Clinton High School, 817 Eighth Ave. S.

“After such a tumultuous past year, I and the musicians of the Clinton Symphony Orchestra are eager to be back together making amazing,inspiring and entertaining live symphonic music for you,” Dollinger said in a news release.

Szabo also will perform a Potpourri for Viola and Orchestra by Hummel. The orchestra will complete the program with the “Dance of the Furies” from Gluck’s opera Orpheus and Eurydice,and a Mozart Divertamento.

Construction projects at Clinton High have altered access to the theater. The old parking lot and entrance to the commons area are blocked off. Parking is available across Eighth and entrance to the theater is on the west side of the commons. Some handicap parking and level entrance still is available on the south side of the commons area.

Tickets for the performance, as well as season tickets, will be available at the door. Adult admission is $20, and all students are admitted free. In addition, a student may bring an adult to the concert for half-price.

Go to www.clintonsymphony.org for more information on the orchestra, which features many musicians from the Sauk Valley, and its lineup for the season.