EVENTS

FWSO: An Evening in Finland

The French composer Berlioz’s friend and fellow composer Paganini was so enchanted at the premiere of Harold in Italy that he knelt and kissed the French master’s hand. The music, inspired by a poem by Lord Byron, is a reflective journey that features the viola in a starring role, played here by the FWSO’s own principal violist DJ Cheek. To close out the season, Maestro Spano leads the orchestra through Sibelius’ second symphony, which builds from a simple three note melody to a grand finale for the ages.

Works

BERLIOZ: Harold in Italy
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2

Featured Artists

Robert Spano, conductor
DJ Cheek, viola

BOOK TRIP

May 23, 2026

7pm

Bass Performance Hall

Add to Calendar 7:30 pm America/Chicago FWSO: An Evening in Finland The French composer Berlioz’s friend and fellow composer Paganini was so enchanted at the premiere of Harold in Italy that he knelt and kissed the French master’s hand. The music, inspired by a poem by Lord Byron, is a reflective journey that features the viola in a starring role, played here by the FWSO’s own principal violist DJ Cheek. To close out the season, Maestro Spano leads the orchestra through Sibelius’ second symphony, which builds from a simple three note melody to a grand finale for the ages. Works BERLIOZ: Harold in Italy SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2 Featured Artists Robert Spano, conductor DJ… Bass Performance Hall