BlueWater Chamber Orchestra and Pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi to Perform Bohemian Rhapsody

CLEVELAND, OHIO — The BlueWater Chamber Orchestra is set to continue its 16th season with a program that highlights the cultural connections between Cleveland's University Circle and the historic musical traditions of Europe. On Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., the ensemble will take the stage at the Church of the Covenant for a concert titled Bohemian Rhapsody. This performance features world-renowned pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi, who currently serves as the distinguished professor of piano and head of the piano department at the nearby Cleveland Institute of Music. According to the BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, the evening's program is anchored by a triple tribute to the city of Prague. Pompa-Baldi will perform Kabalevsky's Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 99, a work famously subtitled the "Prague Concerto." Commissioned for a piano competition in the Czech capital, the piece is known for its virtuosic demands and its incorporation of traditional Czech and Slovak folk melodies. The program also includes Leos Janacek's Suite for Strings, an early six-movement work from 1877, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 38 in D major, which earned its nickname after its successful 1787 premiere in Prague. The venue, located at 11205 Euclid Ave., is a historic landmark within the University Circle district, sitting just steps from the city's major museums and music schools. Artistic Director Daniel Meyer, a Cleveland native who also leads the Erie Philharmonic and the Lakeside Symphony, will conduct the performance. Meyer's tenure with BlueWater has been marked by a commitment to the "From Cleveland, For Cleveland" mission, which uses professional musicians who live and work in Northeast Ohio. Pompa-Baldi brings a significant pedigree to the performance, having won first prize at the 1999 Cleveland International Piano Competition. He is also a silver medalist at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and has recorded dozens of CDs for labels such as Steinway and Harmonia Mundi. While his career takes him to international stages as a recitalist and concerto soloist, his role at the Cleveland Institute of Music keeps him deeply rooted in the local arts community. The orchestra has kept the performance accessible to the public by offering tickets on a pay-what-you-wish basis. Tickets can be reserved through the orchestra's website or by calling 440-781-6215, though they also will be available at the door on the night of the event. Logistics for the evening include several parking options for attendees. Free parking is available in the church's lot and in Lot 54 at 1980 Ford Drive. For those who prefer a garage, the University Hospitals parking garage across the street offers spaces for a $5 fee. Support for this season's programming comes from several regional organizations, including Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and the Ohio Arts Council. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.