(Gulfport, MS) - The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra ends its 2015-16 classical concert series much the way it started: with a classical favorite and introducing a rising young star. 

The Symhony will present “Classics IV”, the final classical concert of the season, on Saturday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre in Biloxi. 

Under the baton of conductor and music director Dr. Peter Rubardt, the concert will feature Jean Sibelius’ classic Finlandia and Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy. The dazzling sounds of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony – one of the most popular classic symphonies ever written - will close the season with its drama, pathos and over-the-top finale. 

Concert-goers will also be introduced to Avery Fisher Career Grant winner Bella Hristova, a fine young violinist who has launched a major career, whose performance is sponsored by The Center for Eye Care. She will be featured in the performance of Bruch’s Scottish Fanatasy, a tuneful homage to the melodies and legends of Scotland.
Hristova earned first prize honors in the 2009 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, First Prize in the 2007 Michael Hill International Violin Competition in New Zealand, and Larueate of the 2006 International Violin Competition. She has performed all over the world and appeared multiple times on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion on National Public Radio. 

Born in Pleven, Bulgaria, Hristova began violin studies at the age of six. At twelve, she participated in master classes with Ruggiero Ricci at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. She attended the Curtis Institute of Music and received her Artist Diploma at Indiana University in 2010. She
plays a 1655 Nicolò Amati violin, once owned by the violinist Louis Krasner.

General admission tickets for the concert range from $30 to $45 and are available at the door or by calling (228) 896-GCSO. Tickets can also be purchased online at gulfcoastsymphony.net. Students and military may purchase discounted tickets for $15 with proper identification.

For those unable to attend the Saturday evening concert, the symphony offers “Finishing Touches,” a full program rehearsal, at 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Tickets for this performance are only $10.

Ms. Hristova will join Dr. Rubardt for “Words on Music,” a relaxed hour of concert information and personal musical insights, on Thursday evening, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point, and at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 22 at the Great Southern Club atop Hancock Bank in downtown Gulfport. Both events are casual dress and lunch is available for purchase at the Great Southern Club.

Although Saturday’s concert ends this classical concert season, it’s not the last Symphony performance of the season. The orchestra will present its annual “Sounds by the Sea” free outdoor pops concert on Memorial Day weekend. The free concert and fireworks will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 at Jones Park in Gulfport, and repeat at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 29 at Beach Park in Pascagoula.

For more information visit the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra website at www.gulfcoastsymphony.net.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Whitney Sumrall, Executive Director
Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
Located in the John S. & James L. Knight Nonprofit Center
11975 Seaway Road, Ste B233
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 896-GCSO (4276)
whitney@gulfcoastsymphony.net