Acclaimed cellist, Amit Peled joins the orchestra on March 21

Highly sought-after Israeli-American cellist Amit Peled brings his artistry, charisma and the historic cello of Pablo Casals to the Koger stage for Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor with the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra. Peled’s instrument has been called the crown jewel of cellos because of its illustrious pedigree – the 1733 Goffriller cello was played by the legendary Pablo Casals. Dvořák’s Cello Concerto is regarded by many as the best cello concerto ever written, and Peled's interpretation of it is celebrated internationally.

Peled was acclaimed as "one of the most influential music professionals of 2015" by Musical America, and he is considered to be among the most exciting instrumentalists on the performance stage today. He has performed with many orchestras worldwide and is a professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University. After his Lincoln Center debut, The New York Times raved about his "glowing tone, seductive timbre and emotional phrasing that made you want to see him again."

The concert takes place on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Koger Center for the Arts and tickets are on sale now.

Performances by winners of the University of South Carolina Concert-Aria Competition also play on this concert.

USC Concert-Aria Competition winners:

Margaret Van Norden, soprano: Donizetti- “Chacun le sait” from La fille du regiment
Ke’er Wang, piano: Rachmaninoff- Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, op. 1, movement 1
Chase Banks, vibraphone: Rosauro- Vibraphone Concerto No. 1

Preceding the concert at 6:30 p.m., Maestro Portnoy presents “Illuminations” a pre-concert talk in the Koger Center’s large rehearsal room.

Tickets on sale now!

Tickets: $30 general public; Discounts: $25 seniors, USC faculty and staff; $8 students.
Call 803-251-2222 or Koger Box Office, corner of Greene and Park Streets (M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or online at kogercenterforthearts.com.

Maestro Portnoy's Farewell Season

This season celebrates Maestro Donald Portnoy’s 31 years leading USC’s premier orchestra. His music leadership has drawn out the very best in thousands of young musicians. The Ira McKissick Koger Professor of Fine Arts retires as director of the USC Symphony Orchestra after the 2016-2017 academic year. Dr. Portnoy has received countless accolades throughout his years conducting the university’s orchestra – one of the top university orchestras in the region. He will continue to teach conducting and violin and direct the Conductors Institute of South Carolina at USC.