Ring in 2011 with symphony, ballet

Dec 30, 2010

Source: Spokesman Review

First Night isn’t the only way to celebrate the arts in Spokane on New Year’s Eve:

For a second year, the Spokane Symphony will follow German tradition by performing Beethoven’s inspirational Ninth Symphony with the Symphony Chorale.

The orchestra’s German-born music director, Eckart Preu, recalls hearing it as a young soldier in East Berlin during the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Featured soloists include Christina Major, soprano; Patty Blankenship-Mortier, mezzo-soprano; J. Raymond Meyers, tenor; and Charles Robert Austin, baritone.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave.

Tickets are $20 and $25 for adults, $14 for children 12 and under, through the symphony ticket office (509-624-1200) and TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, http://www.ticketswest.com/).

A special package with concert admission and a First Night button is available for $28 and $33 for adults, $22 for children ages 11-12 (kids 10 and under get into First Night for free).