Sponsored by George and Marilyn McNeish, the South Kansas Season opens the season with a tribute to Jean Sibelius, who was born 150 years ago. This Finnish composer has been recognized as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, although his style harkens back more to the nationalistic composers of the Romantic Era, rather than the experimental trends of other composers of the time. Sibelius was an artistic influence in the fight for Finland’s independence from Russia, which is heard in Finlandia. This concert also features Sibelius’s Karelia Suite and Andante Festivo, and most notably, Veronique Mathieu, violin professor from University of Kansas, on his celebrated Violin Concerto.