THSO's String Spring Fling set for March 17

Feb. 13—Former concertmaster Elina Rubio is returning to Terre Haute as a guest artist to perform Ravel's "Tzigane" ("Gypsy Dance") with the strings of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra.

The concert is part of the "THSO Presents!" series, which has varying venues around Terre Haute. This performance will be held at 4 p.m. March 17 in Hatfield Hall at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Artistic Director David Bowden will conduct the program entitled String Spring Fling which features the THSO strings joined by the THSO's principal harp, Melanie Mashner.

Lasting 75 to 80 minutes and performed without intermission, String Spring Fling also features Mashner on the harp and current THSO concertmaster, Erina Buchholz, as soloists on the program. After Rubio's solo performance, she will join the ensemble as a section violinist before returning to front the strings with Buchholz in a duet. Together they will play the solo parts of the second movement of Bach's ethereal Double Violin Concerto, accompanied by the THSO strings.

Along the way there will be waltzes, a Strauss polka with all strings playing pizzicato and a new work by Caroline Shaw, "Entr'acte for Strings." Arvo Pärt's stunning "Fratres" is the centerpiece of the program.

A special reception for VIP ticket holders hosted by Viribus Wealth Management follows the concert with all musicians mingling with guests who purchase VIP tickets. String Spring Fling is sponsored by Viribus Wealth Management and the Terre Haute Symphony League.

Tickets can be purchased at www.thso.org or by calling the THSO office at 812-242-8476 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Tickets start at $15. Student tickets start at $5. Prices do not include facility and venue fees.