Seventy-eight musicians.

Two rehearsals.

Four days to bring it together.

From the seductive drama of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” to the aching melody of Joaquín Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez,” the Colorado Springs Philharmonic will bring Spanish-inspired music to the Pikes Peak Center with “Carmen / Aranjuez” on Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s one of the great pieces of classical and romantic music for orchestra,” philharmonic president and CEO Nathan Newbrough said of Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez.” “It’s just thrilling. It’s got one of the most soaring themes. Rodrigo’s a fantastic composer, and the themes from it will be instantly recognizable to people, even if they don’t know the name right away.” 

The 90-minute program, curated by music director Chloé Dufresne and conducted by James Kahane, features acclaimed guitarist JIJI in her first appearance with the orchestra.

“We work with so many pianists, violinists and cellists who are soloists with the orchestra, but the guitar is a special instrument that resonates with people,” Newbrough said. “You see JIJI doing things with a guitar that no human should be able to do.” 

JIJI, who was selected as “one of the 21 composers/performers who sound like tomorrow” by the Washington Post, described the concert as “uplifting, fun, exciting and energetic.” 

Fiery Spanish rhythms leave little room for hesitation.

JIJI steps in with the 77-piece orchestra just days before opening night, relying on two rehearsals to turn complexity into something that sounds effortless.

“The concert goes through all these emotions with the same melody,” she said. “It makes you think, ‘Oh my God, how much can you expand on this one idea?’ Yet it does, and it does it so beautifully.”

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents a wide range of programming each season, averaging 48 concerts that span from educational performances for students to full-scale masterpieces. 

“A community like this needs a symphony orchestra because it gives itself a sort of center of cultural identity,” Newbrough said.

According to the philharmonic’s marketing and communications manager, Alexandra Belone, the orchestra also prioritizes connecting with diverse audiences.

“We definitely try to reach out to our Hispanic community,” she said. “They’re a very important part of our family here at the Philharmonic. We’re doing ‘Carmen / Aranjuez,’ and later in the pop season, we’re presenting ‘La Vida Loca,’ which highlights ’90s Latin pop from artists such as Ricky Martin, Santana and Enrique Iglesias.”

IF YOU GO

What: The Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents “Carmen / Aranjuez” 

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave.

Price: $41-$123, 719-477-2100, https://csphilharmonic.org/event/rodrigo-aranjuez/