The CSO and BalletMet Columbus to Collaborate for a Celebration of Spring

The Columbus Symphony and BalletMet welcome spring with a 100th anniversary celebration of Igor Stravinsky's electrifying The Rite of Spring. The Paris premiere provoked riots, and 100 years later, the work still has the power to stir audiences. Internationally renowned choreographer James Kudelka sets a world premiere ballet to this masterful score, featuring the talented dancers of BalletMet sharing the stage with 109 musicians of the Columbus Symphony, led by CSO Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni.

The program also includes Ravel's bracing Rapsodie Espagnole with world premiere choreography by BalletMet's own Jimmy Orrante. Debussy's alluring Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun) will be performed, featuring choreography by legendary dance maker Amedeo Amodio.

The Columbus Symphony and BalletMet present Celebration of Spring at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) on Friday, March 22, at 8pm; Saturday, March 23, at 8pm; and Sunday, March 24, at 3pm. Tickets are $25-$65 and can be purchased at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 228-8600 or (800) 745-3000. The Ohio Theatre Ticket Office will also be open two hours prior to each performance. Young people between the ages of 13-25 may purchase $5 PNC Arts Alive All Access tickets while available. For more information, visit www.GoFor5.com.

WOSU's Christopher Purdy will hold a free, pre-concert lecture about the program for ticket holders one hour prior to each performance.

The 2012-13 Masterworks Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors Anne and Noel Melvin.