Sighted in the concertmaster chair at Minnesota Orchestra's Thursday show: Ruggero Allifranchini, associate concertmaster with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
The Minnesota Orchestra is still cycling through candidates to replace Jorja Fleezanis, who left the position almost two years ago. Allifranchini is one of many violinists who have been invited to sit in for a test drive. The orchestra this weekend is playing a new piano concerto by James MacMillan, and some Rachmaninoff.
Orchestra spokesperson Gwen Pappas said other candidates are scheduled for a look this spring. Beyond that, no comment. Allifranchini's prominence with the SPCO of course raises interest in his appearance across the river. He and Steven Copes, SPCO's concertmaster, have long made beautiful music together.
