January 27, 2010
The Maryland Symphony Orchestra to Present A Musical Celebration of Love and Romance; Special Dinner/Concert Package Available

Hagerstown, MD—A musical celebration of love and romance is what Music Director Elizabeth Schulze and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra have in store for audience members as the Orchestra continues its MasterWorks Series on Saturday, February 13 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 14 at 3:00 p.m. at the historic Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown. 

The MSO’s musical Valentine features compositions that range from the sublimely poetic to hot-blooded passion and explores all aspects of romantic yearning that are bound to raise the temperature in the Maryland Theatre by quite a few degrees. No modern soap opera can compare to the stories of doomed lovers, jealousy, betrayal, lust and seduction, or pure, unadulterated love that have been set to music in Bizet’s  Carmen Suite No.1; Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 1; Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rustanica; Elgar’s Salut d’amour; Grieg’s Wedding at Troldhaugen and Verdi’s Force of Destiny Overture. 

On Saturday evening, February 13, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Guild is offering a pre-concert dinner at Applause Catering, 58 E. Washington Street, Hagerstown.  Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m.  Chef Francis Verdier’s menu will include salad, Chateaubriand, roasted red potatoes, green beans and a special mousse for dessert.  A vegetarian option will be available.  Tickets for the dinner only are $40.  A dinner/concert package is also available for $75 per person.  Tickets for either the dinner or special package must be purchased by February 9. 

Program notes and audio clips of the musical selections being performed are available at www.marylandsymphony.org by clicking on the Audio Program Notes.  All ticket holders are welcome to attend Prelude which takes place one hour before each concert.  Music Director Elizabeth Schulze shares information on feature composers and works that will enhance concert-goers enjoyment and appreciation of the concert. 

Concert tickets, starting at $22, may be purchased online at www.marylandsymphony.org or by calling 301-797-4000.  Student rush tickets (no reservations accepted) are also available at the box office beginning 90 minutes before each performance for $5.00.  Seat selection will be at the discretion of box office personnel. 

Gold Baton Sponsors are Dr.& Mrs. Hugh Talton.  Conductor’s Circle Sponsors are Bob & Jan Cirincione; Dr. Edward W. Ditto, III; Dr. & Mrs. Edward Drawbaugh; Dr. & Mrs. Jay Greenberg; Dr. Dona C. Hobart; Dr. & Mrs. Neil O’Malley; Dr. Tara A. Rumbarger & Dr. James A. Schiro; Dr. & Mrs. Stephen M. Sachs; David & Suzanne Solberg; Dr. Paul C. Waldman & Dr. Mary E. Money; and, Howard N. Weeks, M.D.. 

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is also supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. 

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is the four-state’s  premier professional orchestra, dedicated to providing musical performances that educate and entertain, while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region.