Maestro Lara Webber, former associate conductor of the Baltimore Symphony and current Livermore resident, is guest conductor for an evening of contrasting and distinctive musical styles. The program opens with the work Ludwig van Beethoven called his “Grande Simphonie”. Its surprising opening and allegro molto e vivace sprint to the finish launched a musical revolution. Selections from Manuel De Falla’s El sombrero de tres picos (Three-Cornered Hat) will whisk the audience away to a village in Spain. César Franck’s symphony in D minor provides the dual pleasures of a cyclical construction which fascinates musical theorists and a melodic richness; it will bring the evening to a close with one of the most ear-catching tunes of the symphonic repertoire.

Lara Webber, as assistant and associate conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, programmed and conducted over 80 concerts annually, including classical subscription, educational, pops, and community programs. She previously was associate conductor of the Charleston (S.C.) Symphony Orchestra and music director and conductor of the Los Angeles Debut Orchestra, a post previously held by André Previn and Michael Tilson Thomas. Webber has guest-conducted the orchestras of Annapolis, Houston, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, and Louisville; and the Chicago Sinfonietta. Also experienced in opera, Ms. Webber was assistant conductor at Glimmerglass Opera and conductor of the Baltimore Opera Studio’s production of Don Giovanni.