The Vancouver Island Symphony will present a concert focused on well-loved composers this weekend.  

Favourite Composers: Episode 2, to be performed Saturday, March 8 in Nanaimo, is a continuation of a series the symphony started last season and promises an evening of timeless masterpieces and brilliant performances. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity to share with the audience what they already know 鈥� pieces they already love and if they don鈥檛 know the pieces, at least they know the composers and they can come with confidence that they will listen to something they like and then it is always an opportunity of course to introduce them to a new composer,鈥� said Cosette Justo Vald茅s, conductor and artistic director for the symphony. 

The concert will highlight trumpeter Mark D鈥橝ngelo for the performance of Vivian Fung鈥檚 Concerto for Trumpet. He is currently principal trumpet with the Kamloops Symphony and second trumpet with the Vancouver Island Symphony. 

The concert will start with Mozart鈥檚 Nozze di Figaro Overture and will also include performances of Ravel鈥檚 Le Tombeau de Couperin and J. Haydn鈥檚 Symphony No. 88 in G Major. The symphony said the program offers a blend of classical brilliance and modern innovation, featuring works that continue to inspire and captivate audiences. 

The Vancouver Island Symphony has had a successful season so far, according to Justo Vald茅s, noting that last month's Whoever Said Opera is Boring show sold out. 

鈥淲e are receiving new subscribers, new donors, our audience is definitely growing. Our orchestra is thriving and playing well and it鈥檚 just really great to see that it is going wonderfully,鈥� she said. 

Favourite Composers: Episode 2 will be at the Port Theatre on March 8 with a pre-concert chat starting at 6:30 p.m. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. and are between $39.50 and $63.50 for adults. The price for students is $28.50.