Skip to main content

Portland Symphony Orchestra

LA
MER

Tickets are currently on sale as part of a subscription package only.

Select a Date

    • 2:30PM
      Merrill Auditorium
      Buy
    • 7PM
      Merrill Auditorium
      Buy

23Eckart Preu, Music Director
Rachel Barton-Pine, violin

PROGRAM
Gabriela Lena Frank | Haillí-Serenata
Malek Jandali | Violin concerto
Debussy | La Mer

How does where we come from shape who we are—as people, as artists, and as storytellers?

Violinist Rachel Barton Pine—praised by The New York Times as “striking and charismatic”—makes her debut with the PSO to perform Malek Jandali’s Violin Concerto. Dedicated to “all women who thrive with courage,” Jandali’s concerto is full of striking beauty, emotional depth, and moments of surprise, weaving together traditional Syrian melodies and rhythmic idioms with Western orchestral form.

At the heart of the program is La Mer, one of the most influential orchestral works of the 20th century. Vividly portraying the waves he loved so dearly, Debussy paints a sound picture of the vastness—and volatility—of the sea. Impressionistic and poignant, this work invites listeners to lose themselves in the evanescence of the sea: always the same but always changing.

The program opens with Gabriela Lena Frank’s Haillí-Serenata, a brief but evocative work for strings. Lyrical, songful, and richly tuneful, the piece unfolds as a gentle serenade to the past.

RUN TIME: approximately 2 hrs including intermission

ADULT and CHILD & STUDENT prices are available online for this event.
GROUP 10+ is available via phone & in-person only.
Per ticket service fee is based on a percentage of the ticket price.

April 4 – 6, 2027

Venue

Merrill Auditorium

View details

merrill
auditorium

A beautifully restored 1,900-seat performance venue, this majestic hall is one of the gems of Portland’s downtown Arts District and close to plenty of restaurants to grab a bite before the show.

Merrill Auditorium is owned and operated by the City of Portland.

Wheelchair Accessible
Assisted Listening Devices
Concessions
Nearby Parking
Security Check
Address

Merrill Auditorium
20 Myrtle Street
Portland, ME 04101

Plan your visit

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

View All Events
star wars:
the empire strikes back
in concert

star wars:
the empire strikes back
in concert

Merrill Auditorium
ECHOES THROUGH
TIME & STORY
3PM

ECHOES THROUGH
TIME & STORY

PCM
PCM BRASS
AT THE LIBRARY
12:15PM

PCM BRASS
AT THE LIBRARY

PPL
THE NIGHTINGALE'S
ENCORE
2PM

THE NIGHTINGALE'S
ENCORE

Maine Jewish Museum
BACH 
BIRTHDAY BASH
2:30PM

BACH 
BIRTHDAY BASH

Merrill Auditorium
BACH, Concerto for two Violins,
HARPSICHORD Concerto
HANDEL & Telemann
3PM

BACH, Concerto for two Violins,
HARPSICHORD Concerto
HANDEL & Telemann

Woodfords Church

Accessibility
Information

How can I purchase accessible tickets to performances?
What types of accessible seating do you offer?
How soon before the performance should I purchase accessible seating?
What services are offered for the hearing impaired?
Are the bathrooms at Merrill wheelchair accessible?
Is there an elevator at Merrill?
Is there Accessible Parking at Merrill?
Are service animals allowed at Merrill?
What if I have questions at Merrill on the night of the show?

WAYS TO SAVE

Portland Symphony Orchestra Subscription

2026-27 sunday Classical

Sunday Afternoon Concerts at 2:30pm

Find out more

Portland Symphony Orchestra Subscription

2026-27 Tuesday Classical

Tuesday Evening Concerts at 7:00pm

Find out more

Portland Symphony Orchestra Subscription

2026-27 Classical complete

Tuesday Evening Concerts at 7:00pm and Sunday Afternoon Concerts at 2:30pm

Find out more

Portland Symphony Orchestra Subscription

2026-27 Compose your own 

Flexible Package of 3 of more PSO Events

Find out more

A photo of the inside of Merrill Auditorium showing three levels of seating filled with people in the seats

group sales

Experience the joy of live performances with your friends and family.

Groups of 10+ receive a discount on tickets and flexible reservation options.

Group Inquiry