Symphony’s New Beginnings

Last month, the Ventura County Symphony opened its 31st season with a bang--and a sense of things new and different. The audience was a sellout and the reviews were good.

Conductor Boris Brott began his tenure, as only the second conductor in the symphony’s history, following founder Frank Salazar. There was a new stage extension, stage design and projections.

The Symphony’s season continues this Saturday with two Brotts onstage. The concert will be at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium, 800 Hobson Road in Oxnard, at 8 p.m. Single tickets range from $15 to $25. Info: 643-8646.

Cellist Denis Brott, Boris’ brother, will be the guest soloist for the evening, performing Saint Saens’ Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor and also Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a rococo theme for solo violoncello.

For local color, Venturan composer John Biggs’ orchestral piece, “Patiche, an overture,” will be premiered, with Biggs conducting. Also on the program is Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D minor.

Meanwhile, on the eastern front of the county, the Conejo Symphony Orchestra will begin its season with a concert, also on Saturday at 8 p.m. It takes place at the Cal Lutheran University Auditorium, Memorial Parkway in Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $9 and $17. The $20 tickets are sold out. Info: 498-7092.

Conductor Elmer Ramsey will present a program of French music, including music by Berlioz, Bizet, Satie, and Chabrier.

The West Coast premiere of Debussy’s Fantasie for Piano and Orchestra will be performed by piano soloist Robert Sage.