The Atlantic Classical Orchestra opens its 2017 season with a spectacular program filled with great classics such as the bubbling Smetana Overture for The bride sold, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s iconic First Piano Concerto featuring brilliant young pianist Vyacheslav Grayznov.

Now in its 27th year, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra has earned a reputation for providing classical music of the highest artistic quality to concertgoers across the Treasure Coast, and recently the Palm Beaches. This year promises to be particularly exciting as the ACO welcomes its new Music Director and Conductor, David Amado. Hailing from Philadelphia, Amado has been praised by the media, audiences, and fellow musicians for his deep insight, visceral energy, and imaginative programming.

As part of a new vision for the future, the ACO presents A Night at the Opera – a first collaboration with singers from Palm Beach Opera’s Benenson Young Artist Program. These talented artists will perform a fine selection of the most beloved operatic overtures, arias and ensembles from the great beautiful canto mastery.

While the ACO celebrates the talents of the greatest musical minds of the past, it also highlights a new generation that is taking center stage. Conrad Tao, who follows the model of legendary musical giants like Mozart, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, is the sixth recipient of the Rappaport Prize for composition. His new commission will make its world premiere with the Atlantic Classical Orchestra in March. The Masterworks III series will also feature Mendelssohn’s tender overture to The beautiful Melusine, the legendary German folk river fairy and Symphony no. 9, a “From the New World” musical postcard.

Maestro Amado concludes his first season by conducting the ACO’s first-ever rendition of Brahms’ heartfelt and virtuoso double concerto, featuring ACO concertmaster Leonid Sigal and principal cellist Ashley Garritson. The program begins with Faure’s music to Maeterlinck’s tragic love story of Pellets and Melisande and ends with a rousing rendition of the crown jewel of the classical symphonies, Mozart’s “Jupiter”.

Enhancing listening pleasure, Maestro Amado will deliver an illuminating pre-concert program, helping guests fully understand the evening’s repertoire and appreciate the music. Talks start 50 minutes before the concert and are free for all ticket holders.

The Atlantic Classical Orchestra performs at Vero Beach at the Waxlax Center at 7:30 p.m. on January 11, February 16, March 9, and April 6.

Performances of Stuart at the Lyric Theater are at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on January 13, February 17, March 10 and April 7.

In Palm Beach Gardens, the COA plays at the Eissey Campus Theater at 7:30 p.m. on January 12, February 15, March 8 and April 5.

Tickets are available from the ACO box office at 772-460-0850 or at www.ACO-music.org.

Information box (on cover)

On the cover: Jean McMullan, Andy McMullan, Lindsay Garritson, Igor Pikayzen, David Amado, Marie Jureit-Beamish