Athens Symphony plays Verdi, Puccini

By: CHUCK GRIFFIN

Posted: 4/5/07

Rossini, Wagner and Tchaikovsky always have been part of an orchestra's repertoire, but for the Athens Symphony's annual Spring Concert, their music will have a massive chorus to go along with it.

The idea for a local, nonprofit orchestra originated in 1976 as a move to enhance the cultural life of Athens. Two years later, it was decided the symphony would rely on support from the town and the voluntary instrumentalists.

ATHENS SYMPHONY SPRING CONCERT

When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Classic Center
Cost: free
More Information: www.athenssymphony.org

With great success, the Athens Symphony has overcome these obstacles through an abundance of donations from local sponsors and individuals along with a constant development in musical repertoire.

"We've grown in size over the years," said Albert Ligotti, former University professor and conductor of the symphony since 1979. "We started with around 45 to 50 players, and we now go from about 75 to 90."

The Spring Concert will feature the Athens Symphony Chorus, a group which doubles the size of its current ensemble.

The addition was conceived when the symphony began giving performances at The Classic Center.

"We couldn't have a chorus earlier because the Mell Auditorium at Clarke Central High School was too small," said Ligotti. "When our concerts moved to the Classic Center 11 years ago, we were finally able to perform with a choir."

Instead of featuring an instrumental solo during the Spring Concert, the Athens Symphony Chorus will showcase excerpts from three of Giuseppe Verdi's famous operas.

Verdi's operas are among the most famous achievements in music history along with the operas of his successor, Giacomo Puccini, of which the Athens Symphony Chorus will also be performing this weekend.