Santa Marians are invited to experience the transformative power of live orchestral music this weekend when the Santa Maria Philharmonic hosts their opening night on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Maria — and tickets are still available .

Titled "Ravel Turns 150!", the premiere performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and is designed to be a celebration of Maurice Ravel's 150th birthday. The night will include a performance of Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 1, Op. 138, opening with dramatic power from Beethoven's opera Fidelio.

The evening will also include Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major with specialist soloist Gwendolyn Mok, and Copland's Billy the Kid Suite featuring American West storytelling through music.

Under the direction of Maestro Michael Nowak, the Sa

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