Musaeus to Autumn Concerto Friday at Casa

It looks like an early autumn. So the Lethbridge Symphony organization’s first concert couldn’t be more timely.

The Autumn Concerto, from Vivaldi’s celebrated “Four Seasons” will be the featured work Friday when the professional string quartet Musaeus welcomes a new member and special guests.

Violist Gabriel Kastelic has joined the ensemble this year, replacing recently retired Graham Tagg.

He joins longtime Musaeus members Norbert Boehm and Lise Boutin on violin, and Mark Rodgers on violincello.

Guests for the evening will be young violinist Isabelle Robinson and veteran keyboardist Mary Lee Voort, both featured in the Vivaldi concerto. Robinson’s appearance, organizers point out, will be a kind of preview for the season’s final concert on May 6 — when she’ll join the full symphony orchestra on all four movements, likely beginning with the Spring Concerto.

Now 13, Robinson has been a gold medallist twice with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She also placed second last June in the Canadian Music Competition in Montreal.

The evening’s program will also include the “Lark” String Quartet by Haydn and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 1.

This year, the quartet’s concerts will be held in the community room at Casa, starting at 7:30 p.m. Also new, an “Afterglow Reception” will follow each, with finger foods, a cash bar and an opportunity to chat with the musicians afterward.

Tickets for Friday’s event and concerts throughout the season are available online at lethbridgesymphony.org.

Audience members aged 15 to 29 can sign up for discounts, while children attending with an adult may also receive a discounted ticket. Tickets may also be ordered by phone at 403-328-6808 from 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays.

In person, tickets and further details are available from the symphony ticket kiosk just inside Westminster Church Hall on 11 Street South, during the same hours.