Pacific Symphony performs tribute to 9/11

Pacific Symphony will perform Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture, complete with live cannons and fireworks, on Sept. 11 at the open-air Pacific Amphitheatre on the OC Fairgrounds.

The concert, conducted by Carl St. Clair, opens with patriotic music by John Williams, Stephen Paulus and Irving Berlin to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. That’s followed by Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” Overture-Fantasy.

International Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medalist George Li joins the orchestra on piano to perform Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. Li, who made his concert debut at age 9, is also the youngest recipient of the Gilmore Young Artist Award.

Long Beach bagpiper Dave Champagne will also be featured.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Guests are welcome to picnic on the grounds before the concert. The Huntington Beach Concert Band will provide entertainment on the Plaza Pacifica from 6-7:15 p.m.

Masks are highly recommended.

Tickets cost $25-$99 and are available via pacificsymphony.org.