The Traverse Symphony Orchestra will open its new season June 27-28 at the City Opera House in Traverse City.

Maestro Kevin Rhodes, who will start his eighth season as music director of the symphony, said he promises classical music “without the stuffiness.” This is also the first time in the orchestra’s 56 years of existence that it will start the season in summer. Before 2008, the orchestra’s season typically began in September.

The TSO’s concert series will be titled TSO Summer Nights. “Our audiences will enjoy beautiful music in a relaxed atmosphere,” Rhodes said.

The first concerts, titled Viva Italia!, includes Rossini’s overture L’Italiana in Algeri; Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 Italian; and one of the most popular classical composition of the past 300 years, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Joining the TSO for the Vivaldi performance will be Janet Sung, a New York City native and a celebrated young violinist who has been playing with professional orchestras since the age of nine.

The orchestra’s perfomance starts at 8 p.m. both nights. For ticket information visit www.tso-online.org or call 947-7120.