IT was a triple celebration at Lighthouse, Poole, last night.

The acclaimed Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra opened its 2016/2017 season under the baton of chief conductor, Kirill Karabits.

The concert with a distinctive Italian theme was the first event in the newly refurbished arts venue which has undergone a £5.3m revamp, although contractors were on site until virtually the last minute.

And the Daily Echo formally launched its stunning new book, ‘Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, From 1893 to the World’.

The packed house enjoyed the season opener featuring Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and William Walton’s Symphony No. 2.

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Karabits told the Daily Echo during a break in rehearsals yesterday afternoon: “I am really looking forward to the season. We are going to have some great new experiences.”

He described the Echo book as “a fantastic and memorable project”.

Dougie Scarfe, the BSO’s chief executive, said: “We have a tremendous season in store showcasing great music and the wonderful talents of the orchestra. We are also building on a lot of things we have been doing with Kirill over the past few years.”

Today the BSO records Walton’s Symphonies No 1 and 2 at the Lighthouse for a new CD, the first time Karabits has recorded British music with the orchestra.

“It’s another exciting, signature event for us,” said Mr Scarfe.

Also looking forward to 2016/2017 is former principal cellist for nearly 30 years, Roger Preston, who is back with the BSO after illness last year.

“I’m delighted to be returning although I won’t be playing quite so much,” said Roger, who is also a musician director on the BSO board.

“There is so much for the audiences and the musicians to look forward to. It’s very exciting.”