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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Concert To Benefit Spokane Symphony

Travis Rivers

November’s ice storm brought down trees and power lines, and it also brought down attendance at Spokane Symphony concerts. The symphony lost more than $50,000 in ticket sales in November and December.

Pianist Andre Watts, one of the superstars of classical music, will perform with the symphony tonight in a benefit concert the orchestra hopes will make up some of post-ice storm loss. Watts will play Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 and the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Overture to “Egmont” and “Leonore” Overture No. 3.

Orchestra members and conductor Fabio Mechetti are donating their services and Watts is coming at a greatly reduced fee. Watts performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 9 and with the New York Philharmonic at 16. In the 35 years since, Watts has secured place for himself in the ranks of world’s great pianists.

The pianist is no stranger to Spokane. Watts first performed with the symphony in 1979 and most recently in 1988.

The Spokane Symphony Special Benefit Concert will begin at 8 tonight at the Opera House. Tickets range from $20 to $40 are are available at the Symphony box office in the Seafirst Building, 624-1200, and at G&B outlets, 325-SEAT or (800) 325-SEAT.

, DataTimes