Brott conducts in Italy

Boris Brott, music director of the New West Symphony, recently conducted the world-famous Arena di Verona orchestra and choir in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, "Choral" in D minor, opus 125, at an Italian concert hall.

Brott's performances took place on Dec. 22 and 23 in the Teatro Filharmonico, the winter venue of the arena's orchestra, opera and ballet companies.

The Arena di Verona was built in A.D. 30 and is one of the world's best preserved amphitheaters.

A choir of 120 singers and orchestra of 90 players were joined by soloists Anna Katharina Behnk (soprano), Annely Peebo (mezzo), Kurt Azesberger (tenor) and Manfred Hemm (bass).

The New West Symphony performs in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Santa Monica.