The newly formed Savannah Philharmonic will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 at its first solo concert on February 27 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, under the orchestra’s artistic director, Peter Shannon. The city has not had a symphony orchestra since Savannah Symphony folded in 2003. Shannon came to Savannah two years ago to lead the Savannah Choral Society, a volunteer chorus, after ten years conducting the Collegium Musicum in Heidelberg, Germany. The Savannah Philharmonic Corporation was formed by a group of Savannah music enthusiasts in August 2008 as a parent organization for the chorus and a new orchestra, with chorus changing its name to the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus. The combined forces presented a staged production of Lehár’s Merry Widow in January 2009 at Savannah’s Lucas Theatre. Richard Platt, chairman of the orchestra’s board of directors, said in a statement, “Throughout its six-year history, the Chorus has stayed in the black, and we will do the same with the orchestra.” More information about the orchestra is available at thesavphilarmonic.org.
Photo of Peter Shannon by Angela Hopper Photography
