The San Diego Symphony’s 2011-2012 season gets underway on Saturday, October 1, with two internationally acclaimed performers — soprano Kathleen Battle and French pianist Jean Yves Thibaudet. Conducted by the Symphony’s music director Jahja Ling, the repertoire will include Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1, Maurice Ravel’s Boléro, and selections for voice and piano. The black-tie gala’s pre- and post-concert activities include a cocktail party sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels, a seated dinner at the recently-remodeled University Club atop Symphony Towers, and a post-concert party that includes dessert, dancing, an open bar, and games of chance. Proceeds will support the Symphony’s education programs, which serve more than 53,000 students throughout San Diego County. Tickets begin at $250. Joan and Irwin Jacobs are serving as honorary chairs; Joyce and Craig Grosvenor are event chairs. (619/237-1960, www.sandiegosymphony.org) MIA STEFANKO
