A Spring Thing

Usher in spring with the Cleveland Orchestra tonight at Severance. Franz Welser-Möst conducts an exciting program, opening with the finale of “Four Legends from the Kalevala, Lemminkäinen’s Return” by Jean Sibelius, which tells the story of Jack Frost’s adventures and his return home. Guest soloist Rudolf Buchbinder follows with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s work for piano and orchestra, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” 24 variations on the last of Niccolo Paganini’s “Caprices” for solo violin. The orchestra will also play Ryan Wigglesworth’s “Locke’s Theatre,” a modern take on incidental theatre music used in Shakespeare’s "The Tempest." The final piece will really bring you out of that winter chill, Benjamin Britten’s “Spring Symphony.” This large work for orchestra, chorus and children’s chorus will feature vocal soloists Kate Royal, Jamie Barton and John Tessier. Ticket holders are invited to attend a pre-concert talk with composer Ryan Wigglesworth and Meaghan Heinrich at 6:30, and the concert starts at 7:30. Tickets are $49 to $149. (Gonzalez)