5 Unique Symphony Shows to See This Season

Live music is fun and assembling dozens of talented musicians on stage makes that experience all the richer. Although you may first think of classical compositions penned by the lines of Beethoven and Mozart when it comes to symphonic sounds, orchestras across our state regularly take on Broadway musicals and Hollywood scores as well as shows that morph the sound of strings and woodwinds with pop music ranging from the Beatles to Beyoncé. Here are five of such shows happening between now and March 8. 

Beethoven X Beyoncé | Feb. 11
Mix classical music with an iconic pop artist, and you get a blend of sounds that are sure to be both familiar and completely fresh. Grab a seat at Cincinnati Music Hall Feb. 11 to experience an evening with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and guest musicians and vocalists as they blend the sounds of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 with hits from Beyonce, including “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it),” “Halo” and her country hit “Texas Hold ‘Em.”  

West Side Story | Feb. 13-16
Enjoy a special run of “West Side Story” at Columbus’ Ohio Theater as the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, Opera Columbus and BalletMet come together for production of this beloved Broadway musical that offers an updated take on “Romeo and Juliet” as it follows the rival Sharks and Jets and a love that cannot be.

Hollywood Hits | Feb. 22 
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra performs music from some of Hollywood’s most iconic films. Enjoy the sounds of movies from across the decades, including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “E.T.” as well as film series such as Star Trek and James Bond. This symphonic show promises to bring plenty of movie magic to Dayton’s Schuster Center. 

A Nashville Songbook | March 1
Put on your cowboy boots and head to the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theatre for hits from legends such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley and more performed by the Toledo Symphony. Grand Ole Opry member Mandy Barnett joins the symphony on stage for this night that honors Nashville’s best.

Twist & Shout: The Music of The Beatles | March 8
“Twist & Shout” at the Schuster Center’s Winsupply Theatre in Dayton during this show that traces The Beatles’ journey in America. Experience Beatlemania like never before with a symphonic set of favorites like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Yesterday” and “A Hard Day’s Night” from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Patrick Reynolds.  

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