PICNIC WITH THE POPS Shakes It Up with Two Very Different Takes on the Mighty Beethoven 6/23 & 24

Whether you like your Beethoven straight up or with a twist, the Columbus Symphony has you covered with back-to-back Picnic with the Pops concerts featuring works from one of the most famous and beloved composers of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven.

On Friday, June 23, CSO Music Director Rossen Milanov will take the stage to conduct the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Symphony Chorus, and a quartet of exceptional guest vocalists to perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Preparing to begin his third season with the Columbus Symphony, this is the first time Maestro Milanov will participate in Picnic with the Pops, and the first time a Columbus Symphony music director has conducted a Picnic concert since moving to the Columbus Commons in 2012.

On Saturday, June 24, composer and conductor Steve Hackman will lead the Columbus Symphony in a performance of his mash-up creation, Beethoven V. Coldplay. The work blends Beethoven's 3rd Symphony with a litany of hits from the multi-Grammy Award-winning British rock group Coldplay.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony

Friday, June 23, 8pm

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Columbus Symphony Chorus - Ronald Jenkins, chorus director

Helen Hassinger, soprano

Megan Quick, mezzo soprano

Jonas Hacker, tenor

David Crawford, bass baritone

Columbus Symphony Music Director Rossen Milanov leads the full orchestra, the 120-member Columbus Symphony Chorus, and a brilliant quartet of guest soloists in Beethoven's uplifting Ninth Symphony which culminates with Ode to Joy, a heartening message of universal love and hope. Experience the most important and inspiring classical music in this new and groundbreaking way on the open stage this summer! Supported in part by The Columbus Performing Arts Prize of The Columbus Foundation.

Beethoven V. Coldplay

Saturday, June 24, 8pm

Steve Hackman, conductor

Conductor, composer, arranger, producer, and songwriter Steve Hackman conducts his Beethoven V. Coldplay creation, a symphonic mash-up of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony ("Eroica") with songs from the British rock band Coldplay including "Paradise," "The Scientist," "Clocks," "Fix You," and "Viva la Vida."

Location

All Nationwide Picnic with the Pops concerts are held at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the Columbus Commons (160 S. High St.) directly behind the Ohio Theatre. Gates open at 6pm. Concerts begin at 8pm.

Lawn Seating

General admission lawn tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children aged 3-14. Children under 2 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the show or in advance by phone at 614.469.0939, online at www.PicnicWithThePops.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.). Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and/or chairs for lawn seating.

Table Seating

Tables of 8 or 10 are available for purchase, ranging from $304-$830 per table. Catering for the table is available at the discretion of the purchaser. For more information or to purchase a table, call 614.469.0939.

Single table seats are also available and can be purchased in any quantity. Prices range from $40-$85 per seat, and catering is not available. Single table seats can be purchased by phone at 614.469.0939, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the CAPA Ticket Center.

www.ColumbusSymphony.com

All programs and artists are subject to change.