The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has a lovely tradition of opening each new season with an exhilarating concert followed by an elegant dinner that brings together the orchestra musicians and passionate patrons who keep the music playing.

Opening Night of the 2024-25 season recognized another vital part of FWSO's composition for success: the instruments played onstage. Specifically, one very special instrument on loan from a Fort Worth family.

Mr. and Mrs. William S. and Mitzi Davis were honored as this season's FWSO Medal of Excellence recipients at the September 6 celebration at City Club. Since 1981, the Davises have generously provided the FWSO use of a rare and precious 1710 Antonio Stradivari violin (known as the "Davis Stradivarius"), played by concertmaster Michael Shih.

After guests had finished their gourmet buffet-dinner and refilled their wine glasses, they were treated to a performance of Jules Massenet's "Meditation from Thais," played in tribute to the Davises by Shih and FWSO music directorRobert Spano on piano.

As the Davises received their medal, they were lauded with a standing ovation from the roomful of benefactors and supporters - including FWSO chairman of the board Mercedes T. Bass and president and CEO Keith Cerny and his wife, Jennifer Cerny. Also in attendance were FWSO personnel and musicians, board members, and family and friends of the honorees: associate conductor Michelle Di Russo, Erin Davis Heineking, Wendy Davis Gerrish, Megan McConnell, Patrick Griffith, Chelsea Griffith, Jimmy Coury, Marianne Auld, Robert Allen, Rachel Allen, Jonathan Cranz, Caroline Cranz, Marcia French, Ken Blasingame, Tara Tooke, Alann Sampson, and Claire Barry among them.

Maestro Robert Spano leads the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra on opening night at Bass Hall.Photo by Randal Vanderveer

Preceding the dinner, they and the entire audience inside Bass Hall got the almost unheard-of opportunity to experience three Stradivarius violins played onstage together. Playing beside Shih and his Davis Stradivarius was FWSO associate concertmaster Swang Lin performing on the FWSO's 1685 "Eugenie, ex-Mackenzie" Stradivari violin, and taking center stage was guest violinist James Ehnes performing on his 1715 "Marsick" Stradivarius.

Ehnes joined Spano and the FWSO for a breathtaking performance of Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47. The appreciative audience called Ehnes back for two solo encores. FWSO bookended the performance with Berlioz' boisterous Roman Carnival Overture and Tchaikovsky's rhapsodic Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, Pathetique.

The entire evening was a grand celebration of Fort Worth as a world-class cities for the arts.

FWSO's next concert features Texas country artist Pat Green, 7:30 pm September 14 at Bass Hall.

  

Photo by Jill Johnson

Robert Spano, Jennifer Cerny, Keith Cerny, Mercedes T. Bass, Michelle Di Russo, James Ehnes