Brott Leads Symphony Into New Season

With a new music director-conductor at the helm, the Ventura County Symphony will commence its 31st performance season Saturday at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium.

Maestro Boris Brott, selected after a months-long international search, will raise his baton at 8 p.m. and usher in a new era for Ventura County classical music enthusiasts.

Brott’s first mission is to guide the symphony through a program aptly subtitled “Music Power.”

The traditional offering will begin with the overture to Wagner’s “Der Meistersinger,” followed by Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Suite” and Debussy’s “Nocturnes.”

The program will conclude with Respighi’s powerful “Pines of Rome.”

Brott comes to Ventura County via Canada, where he has overseen the development of six orchestras, including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, which he conducted for 21 years.

When not in Ventura, Brott will continue his conducting and/or artistic director duties with the McGill Chamber Orchestra in Montreal, the Toronto Festival Orchestra, the Boris Brott Summer Music Festival and the Ontario Place Pops Orchestra.

Tickets for Saturday’s performance are $15 and $20. Tickets for the entire six-concert season are $125, $100 and $75. Discounts for senior citizens are available in select areas of the auditorium.

Future concert dates: Nov. 7, Feb. 6, March 6, April 10 and May 8.

All performances will be held at the newly configured Oxnard Civic Auditorium, 800 Hobson Way.

For more information, call 643-8646 during normal business hours.