POINT PLEASANT — The Ohio Valley Symphony and Gallery at 409 are preparing for a big event coming up Sept. 25 and 26.

Elizabeth Pitcairn, a world-renowned violinist, will be performing during the kickoff event of the Ohio Valley Symphony. Pitcairn has a very intriguing background and comes from a very musical and arts oriented family.

At the age of sixteen, Pitcairn’s family purchased the 270-year-old violin by Antonio Stradivari. This particular Red Mendelssohn is an extremely rare violin that inspired the movie ‘The Red Violin’. It is worth 3.5 million dollars and it will be coming to Point Pleasant in a few weeks.

“We are so pleased to have Elizabeth Pitcairn perform during the first event of the Ohio Valley Symphony,” Paul Simon, President of the Ohio Valley Symphony, said. He adding saying that this is a great opportunity for the area to come be apart of. “The violin isn’t in Columbus, Ohio, or Huntington, or Charleston for that matter, it’s here, in Point Pleasant.”

Ruth Finley who is a board member at the Gallery at 409 is excited to host the reception at the gallery to welcome Pitcairn and her family.

“Point Pleasant is an arts community and because of that, we are eligible to receive more grants and bring showcases, like these, to the area,” Finley said. “This is a great way to help the arts grow even more in the community.”

Students at Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School received free tickets to attend the even that will be held in their auditorium. The newly constructed facility holds 800 and Simon and Finley both believe that the place will be packed with spectators.

“Many people are interested in seeing the symphony play,” Simon said. “The normal patrons will be in attendance and I hope to see a diverse crowd show up.”

One more interesting note to point out to audiences, is that ‘The Red Violin’ that will be here in Point Pleasant, is said to be cursed. Elizabeth Pitcairn has owned the violin since she was sixteen and those who believe in the curse say that the violin has found its perfect partner.

“The sound that comes from the violin can not be replicated, even with today’s technology,” Simon said. “The violin once disappeared for 200 years and it has been tried to be reproduced for many years.”

Interested in meeting Pitcairn or attending the symphony? Tickets are currently on sale at Peoples Bancorp, City National Bank, Farmers Bank, and Ohio Valley Bank. You can also purchase the adult or senior tickets at The Lowe Hotel or Gallery at 409. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors.

Other selections that will be played during the musical event that is under the direction of Maestro Ray Fowler will be Saint-Saens, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso; Saint-Saens, Havanaise; Sarasate, Carmen Fantasy; Slonimsky, My Toy Balloon; Bernstein, Divertimento for Orchestra; and Gershwin, Let ‘em Eat Cake, as well as others.

Afterwards, Pitcairn will be on hand to meet and greet those in attendance. The concert takes place Sept. 26, starting at 8 p.m. at The Lillian and Paul Wedge Auditorium at the Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School. For more information, contact Paul Simon at 304-674-5803.