The superstars - soprano Kathleen Battle, pianist Olga Kern and this season's monster, violinist Itzhak Perlman - are guaranteed ticket-sellers for any orchestra, but the CSO also has a few surprises up its sleeve for music-lovers looking for something they won't find so, well, ho-hum and predictable. In that category, look no further than the souped-up Pops Series, which has been retooled for a more youthful look and sound. Soulful-voiced alt-country singer Brandi Carlile, witty popster Ben Folds and L.A. indie rockers the Airborne Toxic Event will all take a turn on the Boettcher Hall stage, and even a show with Elvis Costello is promised, although the date hasn't been set.
And new on the menu is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary Inside the Score series, which will interpret Beethoven, tango music, Dvořák's New World Symphony, classical classics and more, in the course of the year. So what are you waiting for? To see the complete schedule and purchase tickets go to the website .