Conductor James Conlon is back in town to lead a program of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra this weekend at Music Hall.

However, his soloist has changed. Yesterday the orchestra announced that the planned soloist, violinist Renaud Capuçon, is unable to be here due to an ear infection. He has been advised by a medical professional not to fly at this time. Violinist Blake Pouliot (pool-YACHT) has agreed to step in for Capuçon to play the scheduled Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3.

Pouliot studied violin in Canada with Marie Bérard and Erika Raum, and he completed his training as an associate of The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He graduated from the Colburn School Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Robert Lipsett, the Jascha Heifetz Distinguished Violin Chair.

Pouliot performs on the 1729 Guarneri del Gesù on generous loan from an anonymous donor.

Conlon is Music Director Laureate of the Cincinnati May Festival, which he served for an unprecedented 37 years. He is in his 20th and final season as Music Director of LA Opera. His career of more than 50 years has taken him to the world’s most significant stages, and he is one of our country’s greatest advocates for classical music. For more, visit jamesconlon.com.

Watch for my concert review, FREE to read on the Cincinnati Business Courier arts page.

Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. Friday March 20 and Saturday March 21 in Music Hall. Tickets and information: 513-381-3300, cincinnatisymphony.org