Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Philharmonic will begin its highly anticipated 60th Anniversary Season with an exciting performance of “Juliet & Her Romeo” on October 18th at 7:30 PM at the Koger Center for the Arts. This milestone season opener will feature selections from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet based on Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, and the modern symphonic work Centuries by visiting composer Shaosheng Li from the China National Symphony Orchestra.
Shaosheng Li, a distinguished composer-in-residence with the China National Symphony and Guangxi Symphony Orchestras, will visit Columbia for the performance. His work Centuries opens the Philharmonic’s 24|25 Capital Concert Series and honors the historic construction of the Lingqu Canal under Emperor Qin Shihuang, a feat that united northern and southern China. The piece draws on Chinese folk music and modern compositional techniques to depict this pivotal moment in Chinese history.
Katherine Liu, a celebrated pianist and winner of the 2022 Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, will perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major. Originally set to perform in the 23|24 season, Liu’s debut with the SC Philharmonic was postponed due to a hand injury, making her performance in the season opener a highly anticipated event.
Born in the Boston area, Liu has garnered numerous accolades, including top prizes at several prestigious piano competitions, and is currently a student in the Harvard University-New England Conservatory Dual Degree Program.
Music Director Morihiko Nakahara is eager to celebrate the orchestra’s six decades of history by creating greater community engagement through music. “Music, like sports, can be a powerful agent of unity,” said Nakahara. “We’re committed to breaking down barriers between classical music and new audiences, offering a variety of genres and settings to invite more people to experience the joy of live orchestral music.”
Tickets for “Juliet & Her Romeo” are available through the Koger Center Box Office or online at kogercenterforthearts.com. Prices range from $15 to $60, with options for premium seating. Patrons are still able to subscribe to the 24|25 Capital Concert Series or opt for the Compose Your Own package, which allows flexibility in choosing concerts.
For more information about the South Carolina Philharmonic, visit scphilharmonic.com, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.