The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera opening concert on Sept. 22, at 8 p.m. in the Tivoli will truly be a heroic program. Heroes: Napoleon to Superman features two works, one by Beethoven and one by contemporary composer, Michael Daugherty, written in tribute. Maestra Kayoko Dan, returning for her second season, will lead the CSO in selections from Michael Daugherty’s Metropolis Symphony and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, the “Eroica” symphony.

This season, the CSO has included some fun, exciting pieces by contemporary American composer, Michael Daugherty, whose music is heavily influenced by pop culture. This concert features his Metropolis Symphony which is based on Superman comics. Maestra Dan says, “You will hear a lot of descriptive sounds and melodies throughout as you would be reading the comics.  Daugherty is known to combine popular culture and traditional instrumental or vocal works, and Metropolis Symphony is a great example of his style.”

Also on the program is a work by a “symphonic hero”, Ludwig van Beethoven.  Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, written in 1803, was a tribute to his hero at the time, Napoleon Bonaparte. The symphony was originally titled the “Bonaparte Symphony” but after Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, a disillusioned Beethoven changed the name to the “Heroic Symphony” or in Italian, “Eroica”.

The Opening Night concert will be repeated on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 3:00pm at the Volkswagen Conference Center on the automaker’s campus. The new Volkswagen Chattanooga Concert Series will host five performances during the season and is open to the general public.

The CSO has chosen to feature composer Michael Daugherty during the 2012-2013 Masterworks season and has programmed several of his pieces. Daugherty is one of the most commissioned, performed, and recorded composers on the

American concert music scene today, known for his culturally allusive compositions.  Just recently, in 2011, the Nashville Symphony’s Naxos recording of Daugherty’s Metropolis Symphony and Deus ex Machina was honored with three GRAMMY® Awards, including Best Classical Contemporary Composition. According to the League of American Orchestras, Daugherty is one of the ten most performed living American composers. He will be in Chattanooga during the concert week to talk with local students and musicians about his compositions and his composing process.

Ticket Information

• Tickets start at $19 (Volkswagen Series performance is $25 general admission)
• Children 12 and under are free
• Student tickets are $15 with a valid student identification card
• For tickets or more information, contact the CSO Customer Service Center at 423 267-8583
• Visit in person at 701 Broad St. or go online at www.chattanoogasymphony.org.