Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra combines with Cantiamo to presents its season finale, The Triumph of the Spirit, on May 8th and 9th. Featured works include Beethoven’s Second Symphony and his great Choral Fantasy, the predecessor to the Ninth Symphony. Pianist Malia Roberson makes a triumphal return to the Central Coast as soloist in this inspiring work. Concertmaster David Dally solos in a Violin Concerto by Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier De Saint-Georges. Often called “Le Mozart Noir,” Saint-Georges, born a slave, became one of the greatest composers, violinists, conductors and swordsmen in Eighteenth-Century France. Cantiamo Conductor Cheryl Anderson also presents works by Bach and Mendelssohn.

Ensemble Monterey and Cantiamo present The Triumph of the Spirit on Friday, May 8th, at the First Congregational Church in Santa Cruz, and on Saturday, May 9th, at Monterey’s Golden State Theatre. Both concerts are at 8 PM, and are preceded by insights from Conductor John Anderson at 7 PM. For ticket information call 333-1283 or visit http://ensemblemonterey.org