Charlotte Symphony opens Summer Pops season

On the plus side, glorious light classical music and pop adaptations, delivered by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra with irrepressible Albert-George Schramm behind the baton. Tickets that remain cheap at $12.

On the con side, potentially: Unwieldy crowds, heat, intemperate weather and insects that bite, sting or suck.

Yet the music lovers always come out to the Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops season at Symphony Park, located along Morrison Boulevard near SouthPark mall.

They bring picnics or order from Whole Foods, which provides $10 cheese plates, $9 entrees, $3 sides and $2 beverages. They spread blankets. They find that Shostakovich goes with chardonnay, Grainger with Gewurztraminer, Johann Strauss with anything fizzy.

Sunday’s show was the first of five at Symphony Park this year. The others are “Symphony Swings” (June 12), “The Music of John Williams” (June 19), “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” (June 26) and “Celebrate America” (July 1, with a fireworks finale).

Except for July 1, when tickets are $16, the entry fee is $12 – and kids under 18 get in free. Get details at 704-972-2000 or charlottesymphony.org.

This story was originally published June 5, 2016 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Charlotte Symphony opens Summer Pops season."