Sunday 1st February 2026, 3.00pm
Strode Theatre, Street, Somerset

Join the Mid-Somerset Orchestra in the cosy surroundings of Strode Theatre for a delightful afternoon concert of Italian and Viennese music.

The concert opens with Rossini’s overture to La Cenerentola (Cinderella), a lively and witty piece full of rhythmic sparkle and operatic charm. Rising star Melvin Wai, a talented young pianist from Wells Cathedral School, then performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Written in the 1790s, this concerto blends youthful energy with classical grace, featuring expressive melodies, dynamic contrasts, and virtuosic passages that highlight both the soloist’s skill and the orchestra’s interplay.

The concert concludes with Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter”, his final symphony known for its grandeur and complexity. Its final movement is especially notable for combining five distinct themes in an intricate, masterful fugue. The orchestra will be conducted by Hitoshi Suzuki.

Saturday 9th May 2026, 7.30pm
Strode Theatre, Street, Somerset

Experience an evening of sweeping emotion and lyrical intensity as the Mid-Somerset Orchestra presents a programme shaped by two of the 20th century’s most expressive voices. Under the baton of Hitoshi Suzuki, the concert opens with Samuel Barber’s radiant Violin Concerto, a work celebrated for its soaring melodies and shimmering warmth. From its tender opening to the exhilarating virtuosity of its final movement, the concerto offers a compelling showcase for our soloist, to be announced soon, whose artistry will bring Barber’s heartfelt lyricism vividly to life.

Following the interval, the orchestra performs Sergei Rachmaninoff’s monumental Symphony No. 2, a masterpiece of deep romanticism and emotional breadth. Its lush harmonies, sweeping themes, and powerful climaxes create a rich sound world that has captivated audiences for generations. Join us for a night of musical storytelling that celebrates passion, virtuosity, and the enduring beauty of the orchestral tradition.