Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra launches 51st season

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Daniel Meyer, will open its 2019-20 season next month, with five Saturday concerts at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg.

Season subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale.

The WSO also presents its production of the “The Nutcracker,” featuring Greensburg’s Laurel Ballet, with performances set for 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15.

“After a record-breaking 50th season, we are looking forward to building on the momentum with a season full of great music that can speak to everyone, including two holiday favorites,” says Endicott Reindl, executive director, in a release.

“Our 50th went extremely well. We were able to reach into new communities, create new relationships through that and bring in new folks to hear the symphonies who maybe in the past had perceived a barrier,” he adds.

“The concerts really spoke to a lot of different people. Tthey were not all old-school, strictly classical concerts,” Reindl says.

Audiences can look forward to young violinist Alexi Kenney, who will perform with the Russian Masters concert on Oct. 12, and piano virtuoso Maxim Lando, 16, returning for the Feb. 15 Parisian Valentine concert.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra flutist Lorna McGhee will perform during the Irish Rhapsody on March 14.

Following the success of “Carmina Burana” last season, the 60-member WSO Chamber Singers will return for the April 25 Italian Opera Fest.

Upcoming concerts

• Russian Masters, Oct. 12: Tchaikovsky, “Eugene Onegin — Polonaise;” Prokofiev, “Violin Concerto, No. 2.”

“The Prokofiev features some raucous moments and finishes with a duet between violin and bass drum. It’s interesting weaving,” Reindl says.

Alexi Kenney, violin, Shostakovich: “Symphony No. 5.”

• Home for the Holidays, Dec. 21, with the All-Star Choir of Westmoreland County, special guests and guest conductor Maria Sensi Sellner.

• Parisian Valentine, Feb. 15: Stravinsky: “Pulcinella Suite;” Saint-Saëns: “Piano Concerto No. 2.”

Maxim Lando, piano, Mozart: “Symphony No. 40.”

• Irish Rhapsody, March 14, with Stanford: “Irish Rhapsody No. 1;” Bach: “Flute Concerto.”

Lorna McGhee, flute, Schumann: “Symphony No. 1 ‘Spring.”

“She is just a fabulous flutist, top of the game,” Reindl says. The beloved Irish ballad “Danny Boy” is part of the evening’s performance, days before St. Patrick’s Day. “It’s an interesting, fun concert.”

• Italian Opera Fest, April 25, season finale featuring Italian operatic masterworks including the works of Verdi, Bellini and Puccini performed by the 60-member WSO Chamber Singers and special guests.

“There is a lot of fun Italian opera, Italian choruses. We want to showcase great music and also the really strong Italian heritage in this area,” Reindl says.

Details: 724-837-1850 or westmorelandsymphony.org