Join the Savannah Philharmonic as it presents European Enigma at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 32 Abercorn St., Savannah.

One of Mozart’s most fascinating and delightful works, the Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola and orchestra is the centerpiece of this concert, which begins with the lush melodies of Smetana’s Moldau and concludes with Elgar’s spectacularly gorgeous Enigma Variations. Featuring Concertmaster Sinisa Ciric and Principal Viola LiZhou Liu, this performance should not be missed.

Savannah Philharmonic Concertmaster Sinisa Ciric has performed in countless concerts as soloist and in chamber ensembles and orchestras. As a member of the Symphonic Orchestra of Serbian Radio Television and Belgrade Philharmonic, he cooperated with many international conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Christian Mandeal, Christian Badea and others. Ciric is a founding member of Balkan Quartet, with whom he has performed in many concerts promoting the rich musical heritage of his native Serbia and the Balkans.

Violist LiZhou’s awards include first place in the SUNY Concerto Competition and the Menuhin Prize at the Portsmouth International Quartet Competition. He was Assistant Professor of Viola at Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music, and served as Principal Viola with the Beijing Chamber Orchestra and Tchaikovsky Chamber Orchestra in New York. 

“Elgar's Enigma Variations has one of the most beautiful themes in orchestral music,” said Savannah Philharmonic Artistic Director and Conductor Peter Shannon. “I find the English have a wonderful way with melody, perhaps from their strong church music tradition and great hymn tunes. It's been more than a decade since I've conducted this piece, and I'm looking forward to hearing this old friend again here in the USA. Smetana's Moldau charts the flow of the river from a small streamlet to a gushing powerful force, stopping on the way to witness a peasant wedding and other sights. Mozart's masterpiece Sinfonia Concertante, with our Concertmaster Sinisa Ciric and Principal Violist LiZhou Liu, will be one of the night's highlights. I love it when we feature soloists from within our orchestra because the energy is almost palpable! The intimate setting of the Lucas theatre will only magnify this unique feeling of connecting with these brilliant musicians.”

Tickets for this concert cost $16-$75 each. Tickets can be purchased from the Savannah Box Office by visiting www.savannahboxoffice.com. To learn more about the Savannah Philharmonic, please visit www.savannahphilharmonic.org.