From staff reports

The lasting impression of music is what organizer Frances Koury hopes the audience will take from a Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performance set for Friday evening at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

“I’ve always said, ‘After (the show) is over, the melody still lingers,’” said Koury.

During the performance, set for 7:30 and called Overture to Romance, the MSO will play operatic melodies including “O mio babbino caro” from “Gianni Schicchi” and “Nessun dorma” from “Turandot,” along with a touch of Americana.

“The first half usually helps us understand the classics,” Koury said. “The latter half is geared more toward the semi-popular music.”

Earlier in the day, the group will perform twice for a total of about 3,000 elementary students, said Koury.

“Crafton Beck is the conductor, and he writes the script and introduces the children to what it takes to make a symphony orchestra,” she said. “We’re hoping it instills in them an awareness of the scope of music and the curiosity to pursue it.”

Friday’s performances are sponsored by local cultural organization Four Seasons of the Arts and underwritten by private donations.

The MSO first performed through Four Seasons in 2000, during a celebration of the 175th year of Vicksburg’s incorporation as a city.

We “had 1,000 or better (in the audience) the first few times,” Koury said. “I am optimistic, hopefully, 750 to 1,000” will attend this year.

The MSO is the largest professional performing arts organization in the state and performs each year at more than 120 concerts statewide. The MSO has 28 full-time musicians and 30 others.

If you go

The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will present Overture to Romance at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

The program

“Overture to I Vespri Siciliani” by Giuseppe Verdi

“O mio babbino caro” from “Gianni Schicchi” by Giacomo Puccini

“Nessun dorma” from “Turandot” by Giacomo Puccini

“Morning Song” from “Peer Gynt” by Edvard Grieg

“Baccanale” from “Samson and Delilah” by Camille Saint-Saens

“Three Dances from “The Bartered Bride” by Bedrich Smetana

INTERMISSION

“American Salute” by Morton Gould

“Victory at Sea” by Richard Rodgers

“Blue Tango” by Leroy Anderson

“Forgotten Dreams” by Leroy Anderson

“Belle of the Ball” by Leroy Anderson

Selections from “The Sound of Music” by Richard Rogers, arranged by Robert Russell Bennett

“Raiders March” by John Williams