This richly varied program spans dramatic opera, heartfelt reflection, folk-inspired dance, and vivid orchestral color. Verdi’s La Forza del Destino Overture opens with gripping drama and sweeping lyricism, setting the stage for the emotional intensity of his opera. In contrast, Jonathan Leshnoff’s Elegy for Strings, Harp, Timpani, and French Horns offers a contemporary and deeply moving meditation on loss and memory. Grieg’s Norwegian Dances, Op. 35 brings lively charm and folk flavor, while Ponchielli’s beloved “Dance of the Hours” sparkles with elegance and wit. The program concludes with Respighi’s Pines of Rome, a thrilling sonic journey through the Eternal City, rich with color and grandeur.