Marvel as your Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) takes back the stage with the opening of their 112th season, “Virtuosity.” On Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24, the ASO will welcome the audience in Dell Hall with the extraordinary dance-like composition that is John Estacio’s Wondrous Light, followed by pianist Benedetto Lupo performing Maurice Ravel’s delightful Piano Concerto in G Major. The second half of the program showcases Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, a favorite in the concert hall.

Pre-concert engagements include the return of the well-attended “Concert Conversations” from 7:10 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in Dell Hall. Jeffrey Blair from KMFA hosts these free lectures and special guest pianist Lupo will join for opening weekend. Backdrops will be present for interactive photo opportunities and Steinway will be on site with a Spirio piano.

Italian-born pianist Lupo won national acclaim in 1989 after earning the bronze medal in the Eighth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the first Italian to do so. He has had the pleasure of performing with every major orchestra in his home country, and as such has acquired quite a reputation.

Lupo establishes a unique connection to any work he sets his mind. Amazingly, he still manages to maintain “unfailing beauty of tone matched with solid technique and refined musicality” (Baltimore Sun), and Montreal’s Le Devoir put it best, “Lupo went to raise the bar to a height where it was not expected... everything was supreme.”

Lupo now teaches at the Nino Rota Conservatory in Italy, taking breaks to serve on several competition

juries, as well as gives masterclasses across the globe. Additionally, he has been on multiple PBS programs chroncling his time at the Eighth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Date/Time: Friday, September 23 – Saturday, September 24, 2022 – 8 p.m. Location: Dell Hall, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr. Tickets: $19-$79; Student Rush tickets available 20 minutes prior to the performance for $5 cash with current student ID & upon availability Box Office: 512.476.6064; www.AustinSymphony.org; 1806 Rio Grande St.