Veterans invited to attend weekend BPO M&T Bank Classics concerts free of charge

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is offering veterans and active military a chance to enjoy some free music this weekend.

Veterans and active military can receive two free tickets to the weekend's "Magnificent Bruckner" concert, taking place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, and at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Tickets are available with ID at the box office window.

At the start of each concert, the BPO will perform the "Hymn" from the film "Saving Private Ryan." A moment of silence will follow.

"In recent years, we've given back to America's military personnel with special concerts at the North Park and Riviera Theater, through complimentary tickets distributed by an organization called VetTix, and by offering complimentary tickets for our annual Memorial Day concert," said Susan Schwartz, BPO director of marketing and communications. "We're proud to continue this tradition, and we hope that many active and veteran military in the region will join us."

The concerts are conducted by JoAnn Falletta and feature Carl Petersson as guest pianist, performing the American premiere of Helge Evju's reconstruction of Edvard Grieg's unfinished Piano Concerto No. 2. The second half of the program consists of Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 "Romantic," inspired by chivalric tales about the adventures and romances of knights.

On Friday morning, the entire audience is invited to come at 9:30 a.m. for complimentary coffee and doughnuts. The "Coffee Concert Series" is presented by Elderwood.

On Saturday evening, the audience is invited to learn more about the pieces from the artists at "Musically Speaking," sponsored by Uniland Development, beginning at 7 p.m.