b'WELCOMEFrancesco Lecce-Chong, Music Director & ConductorW elcome to this Santa Rosa Symphony performance! My colleagues on stage and I are so delighted to share this incredible musical experience with you. I know I speak for all of us when I say it means the world to perform for you. Athletes often say that the noise of life fades when they competeand we feel that when we perform. With each passing year, that escape feels more precious, as were surrounded by constant distractionphones buzzing every few minutes,news alerts flooding in, a world that never seems to quiet down.When I first walk on stage and look out into our beautiful Weill Hall, it feels like Ive stepped into a magical, sacred space. A concert is more than just appreciating great artistryits a chance to celebrate our shared humanity and reflect on our own well-being. No matter how exhausted I am at the end of a concert, I always leave feeling restored, recharged, and filled with joy, optimism, and purpose. It is my sincere hope that you will also experience that during your time with us.This is a season of stories. I believe that stories told through music are among the most powerful artisticexperiences that exist. By removing words and a linear plot, composers can dive deeply into characters, their motivations, and the essence of a story. Bookending our season, youll hear how Bernstein (in West Side Story) and Tchaikovsky found their own compelling ways to capture the spirit of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. I am also thrilled to finally bring you one of my favorite worksone that I have conducted with orchestras across the country: Strauss suite from his opera, Der Rosenkavalier. It moves me to tears every time I see the opera. And there is so much more: Fallas flamenco-inspired ballet music, The Three-Cornered Hat; Mahlers story of the entire universe in his Third Symphony that stands among humanitys greatest creations; and the world premiere of a six-instrument concerto by Shuying Li, inspired by a story of conflict and resolution.We love all of you, and were so thrilled to share this music with you. Whether youve been coming for decades or just joined us, you make our lives possible. You help us bring joy to others, and youre making our community, and our world, a more beautiful place.Photo by Susan and Neil Silverman PhotographyWith gratitude and admiration,Francesco Lecce-Chongsrsymphony.org2025-2026 Season 5'