Valentines' Symphony

January 23, 2019

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic French concert and a classic film

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Valentine’s Day is coming with a French flair this year as The Southern Illinois Symphony coordinates several fun and romantic events.

The Symphony begins the second half of its season accompanying “The Poor People of Paris,” a well-established St. Louis combo specializing in romantic French music. With over one hundred years of history at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the Southern Illinois Symphony has a long tradition of exceptional concerts. This classic performance is perfect as a surprise gift to a loved one, or a fun evening with friends.

Concert and reception

The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Shryock Auditorium. In keeping with the French theme, the concert will feature music by Michel Legrand, Marvin Hamlisch and instrumental selections from ‘Les Misèrables.’

A pre-concert wine and cheese benefit, with special Valentine’s gifts and music by Mel Goot, will take place before the concert at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 in the Shryock balcony lobby. The benefit will support the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets available now

Tickets for both the concert and reception are available online at events.siu.edu or by calling 618/453-6000. Concert tickets will also be available at the door an hour before the performance.

  • Concert tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students of any age.
  • Pre-concert benefit tickets are $30 (must be purchased separately).

 ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’ at the Varsity Theater

To warm up for the French Valentine concert, the Varsity Theater will present ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’ at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7. The 1964 film classic stars Catherine Deneuve and features an iconic score by Michel Legrand.

Walter Metz, professor of film criticism in the cinema and photography program at SIU and host of “SIU Reviews” on WSIU Radio, will give an introduction before the film showing. Tickets will be available at the door and are $7 for general admission and $5 for students.

For more information visit symphony.siuc.edu.