Symphony culminates with French tribute

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s Season Finale opens with Maurice Ravel’s nostalgic Pavane pour une infante défunte—a tribute to the slow processional dance that enjoyed immense popularity in 16th and 17th century European courts. Moving into exuberance, the orchestra and chorus perform Gloria, the celebrated choral masterpiece of Francis Poulenc. Following the Gloria is a performance of Ottorino Respighi’s Brazilian Impressions. Respighi, whose musical style drew heavily from the French Impressionists, puts into brilliant, exotic musical tones inspirations from time spent in Brazil. And no Louisiana tribute to France’s influence on music would be complete without Gershwin’s tone poem, An American in Paris. Absorb the energy of 1920’s Paris in symphonic style! This Thursday night at the River Center Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets available at brso.org.