North Idaho Philharmonia presenting 'European Postcards'

North Idaho Philharmonia returns to the historic Panida Theater for two performances entitled "European Postcards" next weekend.

Concerts will be held Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, featuring guest solo harpist Sophie Baird-Daniel. Friday evening begins with a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m., with downbeat for the program at 7:30 p.m.

"European Postcards" begins with "The Art of Fugue" by J.S. Bach, followed by Handel’s "Harp Concerto". "The Art of Fugue" is characteristic of the Baroque era, where a single theme is repeatedly and masterfully presented in various voices.

“Rarely is the harp featured as a solo instrument within an orchestral performance," artistic director and conductor Jan Pellant said. "As one of the oldest instruments in the history of music, with one of the most expansive ranges of tone and color, the harp presented in its full glory will delight an audience of all ages.”

The second half of the evening will bring the sounds of Beethoven’s "Symphony No. 2", composed around the time Beethoven began to realize he was losing his hearing. Premiering in Vienna almost exactly 220 years ago, on April 5, 1803, the symphony is credited as one of the orchestral masterworks ushering in the romantic era in music history.

If you miss Friday’s performance, this musical treat repeats on Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee, also at the Panida Theater, with a pre-concert talk beginning at 1:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are $15 for students and $30 for adults. Advanced purchase is recommended.

Tickets are available now at sandpointconservatory.org/events or at the door before each performance.