The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will present an all-Spanish program on Friday and Saturday, April 8-9 at Music Hall. The performances, led by returning guest conductor Juanjo Mena (a favorite of musicians, critics and audiences), are highlighted by Falla’s La vida breve, a work that calls for partial staging, full chorus, several vocal soloists, a flamenco dancer and a cantaora (flamenco singer). This feast for eyes and ears invokes the sights and sounds of Spain, and hasn’t been performed by the CSO since it was recorded in 1992. The performances will also feature Spanish guitarist Pablo Villegas performing Rodrigo’s lively “Fantasia for a Gentleman.”

CSO Food Drive

This concert weekend also marks the Orchestra’s annual food drive benefiting Freestore Foodbank. The food drive is part of the CSO’s collaboration with Orchestras Feeding America, and the CSO will be offering concert tickets at a discounted price of $10 to all who make a donation of a non-perishable food or hygiene item (Friday only, though donations will be accepted Saturday as well), as part of community-wide efforts to eliminate hunger in the region. Visit cincinnatisymphony.org/fooddrive for details. The CSO will also be in a friendly competition with the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestras to collect the most donations.

Tickets for both performances are still available by calling the CSO Box Office at (513) 381-3300 or visiting www.cincinnatisymphony.org.