The Austin Symphony Orchestra is ready once more to grace Austin with beautiful classical music.

The gala concert to celebrate ASO’s 55th anniversary will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.

This gala concert will feature Italian pianist Roberto Plano, soprano Elizabeth Hunter Ashley, baritone Bob Wills, and a combined 68 member chorus consisting of Albert Lea Cantori, Austin Symphony Chorus, and the Riverland Choir. Sonia Larson has rehearsed the combined chorus which will sing Dvorak’s “Te Deum.”

Ashley is an Austin High School graduate, a former Miss Minnesota who now lives in California. She will sing Gounod’s “Je veux vivre” from “Romeo and Juliette” as well as soloing in “Te Deum.” She will also sing “The Prayer” with Wills. Wills, a Minnesota native, now lives in Hawaii. Besides his duet with Ashley in “The Prayer” and a solo in “Te Deum,” Wills will sing “Urlicht” from Mahler’s Symphony No.2 in C Minor. Italian pianist Roberto Plano is the orchestra’s third featured artist. He will play Schumann’s Piano Concerto Op. 54.

Concerts are presented through the cooperation of Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc., through funding from the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Legislature.

Tickets and more information are available at www.austin mnsymphony.org or by calling Marge Dunlap at 507-433-5647.