Maestro Stuart Malina and the orchestra begin the 2007-2008 season with the overture to Wagner's operatic ode to the legendary 13th Century knight Tannhäuser and the dramatic conflict between sacred and profane love. The "Overture to Tannhäuser" draws the listener into the drama that tears at the mythical knight's heartstrings.

The second work is Antonín Dvořák's "Violin Concerto," featuring Canadian violinist Karen Gomyo in her second performance with the HSO as the Masterworks guest artist. The Dvořák concerto journeys between haunting old world themes and joyful exhilaration. The concerto is considered by many as one of the essential works for the violin.

The opening concert is rounded out with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 2," also called "Little Russian." The composer skillfully wove Ukrainian folk songs into the work to elicit a sense of the old world in its joyous wonder and beauty. The composition was so well-received upon its premiere, one critic appreciatively called it "Little Russian." The name stuck.

"Heroes of the Old World" is generously sponsored by the Hershey Company.

Performances will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Forum, located at 5th and Walnut streets in downtown Harrisburg. A pre-concert discussion will be held one hour prior to both the Saturday and Sunday concerts by WITF classical music radio host Dick Strawser. -- www.harrisburgsymphony.org