The Fresno State Symphony Orchestra will have its second concert of the season on Saturday, November 18, at 8:00 p.m. at the Department of Music Concert Hall. The concert will feature Rachmaninoff’s First Symphony and selections from Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin.

Rachmaninoff was only 22 years old when he composed his First Symphony, and was already one of the most respected musicians in Russia. Three years earlier he had been graduated from the Moscow Conservatory with a gold medal in composition. Although not well received in its first performance, when Rachmaninoff’s First Symphony was performed in 1945 in Moscow, for the first time since its premiere in 1897, it was a grand success, which this led to a new and more enthusiastic evaluation of Rachmaninoff's music, and the work proceeded to establish itself in the general repertory.

The opera Eugene Onegin, composed by P.I. Tchaikowsky to a poem by Alexander Pushkin was first performed in Moscow in 1879 and is a timeless masterpiece about unrequited love. Onegin rejects youthful, naive Tatiana at the start of the opera and then, in turn is rejected by her at the end. Combining some of the most beautiful music ever written, poignant story and intriguing, complex characters - Onegin is the most popular Russian opera of all time. We are very excited to bring Onegin highlights to Fresno State. Soprano Dr. Maria Briggs (Assistant Professor of Voice, Fresno State) will be portraying Tatiana in a powerful "letter scene" and final duet with Onegin, sung by international guest artist baritone - Krassen Karagiozov. Mr. Karagiozov has premiered the role of Onegin for San Jose opera company in 2008 and will also sing Onegin's famous rejection aria from Act 1. Fresno State choir, conducted by Dr. Cari Earnhart will perform the opera choruses.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and faculty, and $5 for students. For more information please check www.fresnostate.edu/music