The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra kicks off its season with a weekend of events, featuring performances of Hector Berlioz’s psychedelic Symphonie fantastique, a tale of “opium, obsession, murder, fantasy (and) hell,” says CSO conductor Louis Langrée. Before Saturday’s performance, there will be a themed gala with dinner and cocktails in Music Hall’s Ballroom, and an afterparty with desserts, drinks, DJs and dancing. Sunday’s performance will feature a “Stories in Concert” event, in which Langrée shares the story of Berlioz’s life to give listeners a new perspective on his work.
11 a.m. Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Concert tickets start at $12; Gala: $200; afterparty: $50; Stories in Concert: $25. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatisymphony.org.
