The Windsor Symphony Orchestra returns to live performances this weekend with two performances in front of a full capacity audience at the Capitol Theatre.

The program, titled “A Hero’s Symphony,” will include Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, op. 55, Eroica, and Crisantemi by Giacomo Puccini, played to honour the memory of Mina Grossman-Ianni, the orchestra’s former executive director who died Feb. 28.

Conducted by maestro Robert Franz, the orchestra features among its musicians UWindsor instructors Lillian Scheirich on violin and Ross Turner on trumpet and music alumni Philip Seguin on trumpet and John Wiebe on viola.

Beethoven, considered an innovator in his time, composed a total of nine symphonies. When his third symphony premiered in 1803, audiences were not ready for its depth. However, this piece cemented his place in musical history and changed the idea of what a symphony could be.

Saturday’s concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s at 2:30 p.m.

Currently, the orchestra is performing without intermission, making concerts approximately 75 minutes. Proof of vaccination and the wearing of face masks are required at the Capitol Theatre, located at 121 University Ave. West.

Tickets are available on the WSO website or by phoning the box office 519-973-1238, ext. 2.