Open Air

The natural world has long been an inspiration to artists. Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony stands among the most joyful expressions of that impulse. Beethoven described the work as “an expression of feeling”—a reflection on the pleasures of time spent in the country. From the gentle murmur of a brook to the drama of a sudden summer storm and the calm that follows, the symphony unfolds as a vivid musical journey through nature. Mendelssohn’s overture The Fair Melusina opens the program. It is inspired by the legend of a water nymph who, in human form, marries a count but turns back into a mermaid every Saturday (so much for weekend plans). The music captures both Melusina’s watery home and the friction of mismatched love. Between these two musical landscapes, our concerto competition winners take the stage in a showcase of emerging talent.