Reflections on a legendary story. The 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius violin is said to be one of the world’s most legendary instruments. Its mysterious history and whereabouts after it went missing for 200 years, has inspired much speculation, and many tellings of its story, including the 1998, Academy Award winning film, The Red Violin. And the story of how it came into the hands of its current owner? It’s just as fascinating. 

Join us for an historic, first-ever performance in Lafayette, by world-renowned violin virtuoso, and longtime keeper of The Red Violin, Elizabeth Pitcairn, who, along with her legendary instrument, will lead the Symphony in performing a captivating suite from the now famous movie, as well as arrangements from Virgil Thomson's Pulitzer Prize Winning Acadian Songs and Dances, from the 1948 movie Louisiana Story. This concert doubles both as our Season 39 finale, as well as the premiere for our first-ever international debut, a 10-day concert tour of Poland, where the Symphony will travel with Pitcairn and her Red Violin, performing at some of the country’s most prestigious concert halls and music festivals.