Renowned Bassist to Perform with Southern Miss Orchestra Sept. 29

François Rabbath, a world-renowned bassist, will be playing along with The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium. The concert, entitled “Vive La France,” will feature works composed and arranged by Grammy-nominated American composer and bassist Frank Proto. 

The importance of Rabbath to the development of double bass playing can be compared with that of Paganini to the violin. Rabbath, born in Aleppo, Syria, is also renowned for his technique that has revolutionized the way the bass is played and taught.

The Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra is collaborating with the Southern Miss School of Music, the Hattiesburg Concert Association, the Southern Miss Department of Foreign Languages, the Hattiesburg Downtown Association and local businesses to create a weeklong celebration of French music, food and culture.

“It's a wonderful opportunity for collaboration between foreign languages and music, and we are thrilled to be a part of this and for our students to have the opportunity to hear and meet a world-renowned French bassist,” said Dr. Joanne Burnett, associate professor of French and Second Language Acquisition at Southern Miss.

Noteworthy events of the week include:

• “A Musical Taste of France,” a French wine tasting at the Purple Parrot Café on Sunday, Sept. 25
• French Creole cooking class at the Kitchen Table on Monday, Sept. 26
• A free recital by Rabbath at the Oddfellows Gallery in downtown Hattiesburg on Tuesday, Sept. 27 presented by the Hattiesburg Concert Association and the Southern Miss School of Music
• Dinner at 206 Front Street featuring French wines and French desserts to follow at The Pastry Garden on Wednesday, Sept. 28

“It's another great opportunity for the university and the downtown area to work together,” said Betsy Rowell, executive director of the Hattiesburg Historic Downtown Association.

Ticket prices for the Southern Miss Symphony concert are $16, $18 and $20, and can be purchased by calling 601.266.5418 or visiting www.southernmisstickets.com.  Reservations for the restaurant events and cooking class can be made with each individual restaurant and the Kitchen Table.