Evanston Symphony Orchestra will host Musical Insights, a free lecture program open to the public, on Friday, May 10, 2019 starting at 1:30 p.m.in the Grand Ballroom of The Merion. 

Internationally renowned soprano Michelle Areyzaga will join Lawrence Eckerling, Music Director of the ESO to discuss the music of Leonard Bernstein, whose centenary will be honored at the ESO Concert on Sunday, May 12 at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston. Ms Areyzaga will sing a special selection of Bernstein’s music with Maestro Eckerling providing piano accompaniment. ESO General Manager David Ellis and Maestro Eckerling will preview Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and the choral blockbuster finale of the concert and the season: Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

 The Merion has received the Evanston Arts Council’s Leadership Award and is the sponsor of this popular lecture/recital series.  These programs discuss the upcoming concert on the Friday afternoon prior to each ESO subscription concert.  Maestro Eckerling and ESO General Manager David Ellis use recordings, DVDs, and the piano to demonstrate musical ideas and themes.

 The program lasts about an hour and concludes with a question-and-answer session and free refreshments.