Our September Symphonic Circus

Photo Credit: Mills Fitzner, Rome News Tribune

The Rome Symphony Orchestra opened their 2022-2023 season with Symphonic Circus - a special two-night event. Hosted on September 9th and 10th in downtown Rome, the free concert was a combination of classical music and circus acts in a never-before-seen performance. At the concert, the symphony performed Dvorak’s New World Symphony accompanied by full-scale circus acts, including a dramatic flying trapeze performance during the final movement.

The show was produced by Lizzy Schwartz and Daniel Gilbert, two of the most prominent names in the world of flying trapeze and the cast included a bevy of world-class circus performers from around the country. “The mission of the Rome Symphony Orchestra is to inspire, educate, and entertain through excellence in musical performances. As we kick off our second hundred years, we began with a concert that we hope will inspire the entire community; classical music lovers and non-classical music lovers alike,” said conductor, Jeffrey Dokken. The concert was incredibly well attended and well-received by audience members.

As a complement to the performance, a team of circus educators and RSO personnel presented engaging and educational assemblies in several local schools designed to get the students up on their feet and to educate them about the importance of exercise, healthy eating, and an active lifestyle. This concert was generously sponsored by The Harbin Clinic, Georgia Council for the Arts, Toles, Temple & Wright, Rome Area Council for the Arts, Publix Supermarket Charities, and Georgia Power.