Salisbury Symphony Performances March 19-20

SALISBURY, MD---The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra presents “The St. Francis Concerts” Wednesday – Thursday, March 19-20, at 8 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church located on Riverside Drive. Conducted by music director Dr. Thomas G. Elliot, the performance features special guest piano soloist Patrick Freer.

Freer leads Choral Fantasy, which serves as a prototype for the last movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. First performed in 1808, Choral Fantasy begins with a lengthy piano solo of a free, improvisatory nature. The orchestra joins the piano through a series of variations on a melody Beethoven later adapted for the “Ode to Joy.”

Also in this concert is Serenade to Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Pavane by Gabriel Fauré and “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner.

“These two concerts will be the SSO’s first endeavor to bring our concerts to over 1,500 members of the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church,” Elliot said. The orchestra and chorus number approximately 100 and will assemble in the center of the alter area. The performances are in cooperation with Music Director William Alexander.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens 60 and older and $5 for children 18 and under. They are available at Salisbury Music and Instrument Repair, Market Street Books, the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, and all branches of Peninsula Bank and Bank of Delmarva during regular lobby hours.

For more information, call 410-548-5587.