Ryan ChartrandThe Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center will play host to the opening night performance of the 36th annual San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival July 14. The show will celebrate the classical pianist’s 250th birthday.
The festival, which will feature numerous guest artists and host a variety of classical music styles including orchestral, baroque-period instrument and chamber music, will tour the Central Coast from July 14 to 23, with numerous performances at the PAC and the H.P. Davidson Music Center.
The week-long tour will begin with a free concert by the eclectic group 3 Leg Torso in the San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza on Friday at noon, followed by an evening performance by a Mozart tribute orchestra at the PAC.
Conducted by the Mozart Festival Director and virtuoso violinist Scott Yoo, the Mozart Festival Orchestra, which will feature the music of Mozart, Beethoven and Russian composer Shostakovich, is scheduled to begin Friday evening at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the opening ceremony are still available at the PAC.
Including the opening ceremony, Cal Poly will also play host to a number of free concerts held at both the PAC and the Music Center.
Events include a variety of performances in the Music Center Room 218, such as the “Shostakovich 8th Quartet: A Life in Music,” conducted by Scott Yoo on July 15 at noon. “From the Old World to the New,” by members of 3 Leg Torso on July 17 at 11 a.m. and “Maestro’s Perspective,” hosted by acclaimed international conductor Kent Nagano on July 19 at 2 p.m.
The last performance of the Mozart Festival to be held at Cal Poly will be a free open rehearsal of the Mozart Festival Orchestra in the PAC on July 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For a complete schedule of performances, the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival information department can be reached at 781-3008, or visit their Web site at www.mozartfestival.com.