IT was a triple celebration at Lighthouse, Poole, this week.

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.

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.

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.”

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,” he said.