The Columbus Symphony and Columbus Symphony Chorus, conducted by Rossen Milanov, perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with guest soloists.
The Columbus Symphony is bringing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 to the Ohio Theatre on April 30 and May 1, 2027, both nights starting at 7:30 PM. It's the big closing for the Symphony's 75th anniversary season, and the program is built around the Ode to Joy—the massive choral finale that gives the whole thing its name.
On stage, conductor Rossen Milanov leads the orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Chorus, which is directed by Stephen Caracciolo. The chorus shares the spotlight with four guest soloists: soprano Lydia Katarina, mezzo-soprano Mariya Kaganskaya, tenor Victor Starsky, and bass-baritone Cumhur Görgün. It's a huge ensemble to fit on one stage, and the Ode to Joy is the moment where all those voices—the soloists, the chorus, and the orchestra—come together.
Beethoven's Ninth is usually described as a boundary-breaking work that shattered convention and changed the course of musical history, and that's because it was the first time a major symphony brought in a full choir and soloists for the finale. The staging here pairs that chorus with the quartet of guest artists and a massive orchestra to bring the Ode to Joy to life.
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If you want a bit of context before the music starts, there's a free pre-concert talk at 6:30 PM in Room 4 of the Ohio Theatre, led by licensed professional music therapists from Ohio Music Therapy Services, LLC. There are no assigned seats and space is limited, so it's first come, first served. The performances are April 30 and May 1, 7:30 PM, at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E State Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
