Opening night is always a special time for the Asheville Symphony, and this coming September, Music Director Daniel Meyer and the ASO begin with a musical anticipation of a toreador as he is about to take the ring of an epic bullfight. Turina's Bullfighter's Prayer is a dramatic score, inspired by the heritage and passions of old Spain. Then audience-favorite Zuill Bailey returns as the swaggering (and stumbling) anti-hero Don Quixote with Mary Persin as his ever faithful Sancho Panza. Richard Strauss' famous tone poem re-imagines moments from Cervantes' epic novel in musical terms. The result is a sweeping, inventive, and humorous interplay between solo cello, viola, and orchestra in which the characters spring to life. To cap a festive evening, we will perform some of your favorite moments from Bizet's treasured score to Carmen. Who can forget the sultry Habañera or the wild Danse Bohême?  It's opening night, after all.  Olé!