The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Robert Lehmann will present their spring concert at Westbrook Performing Arts Center. The concert will feature the head of voice studies at USM, Malinda Haslett, soprano, in the exquisite work of Hector Villa Lobos, Bachianas Brasileiras #5. The orchestra will also be performing graduate conducting student Ben David Richmond's Symphony No. 3 as well as Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3. 

Robert Lehmann is professor of music and director of strings studies and orchestral activities at the University of Southern Maine School of Music where he conducts the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his duties at USM, he is music director of the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, and the White Mountain Bach Festival in New Hampshire. He holds degrees in violin performance from the University of the Pacific, the Eastman School and Boston University and has been a fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Festival and at the Conductors Institute at Bard College. Dr. Lehmann has concertized as violinist and conductor, in his native Mexico, throughout the US, Puerto Rico and in Europe and Ukraine. He has been of frequent guest conductor with the Portland Symphony, Portland Ballet, and has conducted All-State and Festival Orchestras from Maine to California and Hawaii. He has also been an adjudicator the National Orchestra Festival at the ASTA National Convention.

Soprano Malinda Haslett is firmly established on the world stage as a multifaceted performer and international scholar. She has over thirty leading roles to her name. Her North American operatic highlights, including those in Canada and Mexico, are comprised of titular roles: Violetta in “La Traviata,” Juliette in “Roméo et Juliette,” and Marie in “La Fille du Régiment.” Other significant roles include: Mimí and Musetta in “La Bohème,” Nedda in “I Pagliacci,” Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” Adina in “L’Elisir d'Amore,” Norina in “Don Pasquale,” Pamina, Erste Dame and Papagena in “Die Zauberflöte,” Oscar in “Un Ballo in Maschera,” Leïla in “Les Pêcheurs des Perles,” Nannetta in “Falstaff,” both Donna Anna and Zerlina in “Don Giovanni,” and a world premiere performance of Lulu in the Grammy Award-winning “Elmer Gantry,” by Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein, and Erste Mädchen in Hindemith’s “Das Nusch-Nuschi,” which had its American premiere in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. She earned her Doctor of Music in Arts degree at Stony Brook University, and is currently the head of voice studies at USM. 

The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra is a full-sized symphony orchestra comprised of USM students and talented members of the community who audition for membership. The orchestra performs challenging, professional level repertoire from all periods. The orchestra sponsors a biennial concerto competition and frequently collaborates with choirs on large scale choral works. In addition, professional soloists of the highest caliber are often engaged to perform with the orchestra.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students, seniors, USM employees and alumni. Purchase tickets online at www.usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice, or by calling 207-780-5555.

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Lori Arsenault, (207) 780-5142, loria@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number (207) 780-5646.