Music inspired by Bavaria and Bohemia will herald the arrival of Spring in a concert by the Hunterdon Symphony and Hunterdon Choral Union. On Saturday, April 12, the two groups will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Hunterdon Central High School, Route 31 North, Flemington. The program will include Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G, Weber’s Overture to Der Freischutz, and Elgar’s Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands.

Dvorak wrote his Eighth Symphony in 1889 on the occasion of his election to the Bohemian Academy of Science, Literature and Arts. Mostly written at his summer home in the Bohemian countryside, the symphony is joyful and lyrical. All four movements show a variety of themes, many of them based on the folk music that he loved.

The opera Der Freischütz is set in 17th century Bohemia and based on the German folk legend of the Freischütz (The Freeshooter), with many of its tunes inspired by German folk music. In the overture, Weber used complete melodies from the opera, which differed from the style of earlier composers who only suggested the motifs that would follow. Considered the first important German Romantic opera, after its premier in Berlin in 1821 Der Freischütz quickly became an international success.

Shortly after their marriage in 1889, Elgar and the poet Alice Roberts spent time holidaying in the Bavarian highlands. On one trip Alice became enchanted by some local Bavarian folk poetry, prompting her to write the stanzas used in the choral selection. Her poems as well as Bavaria itself and its dancing and singing inspired Elgar’s composition. The enjoyment the couple shared on their travels seeps into much of the music.

Lawrence Kursar, who conducts the Hunterdon Symphony, holds degrees in conducting, in French horn performance and in music education from New England Conservatory and the College of New Jersey. In addition to his role as conductor of the Symphony, Mr. Kursar teaches instrumental music at Woodglen School and performs with the Mainstreet Brass Quintet, Crosswinds Trio, and regional orchestras.

Richard McIntyre, the conductor of the Hunterdon Choral Union, recently retired from the Music Department at Voorhees High School. During his thirty-year career in public schools, he conducted both choral and instrumental ensembles and taught courses in music theory, guitar, and music history. Dr. McIntyre has worked as a church musician since the age of sixteen and currently serves as organist and choir director at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Pittstown.

This event is sponsored by Hunterdon Musical Arts, which is funded in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/ Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural Heritage Commission.

Tickets prices are $20 general, $10 for seniors and students. Advance sales are available through the group’s website, hunterdonmusicalarts.org, or the following local merchants (cash or check only): Califon Book Shop, Clinton Book Shop, Teaberry’s Tea Room in Flemington, Minette’s Candies or The Book Garden in Frenchtown, and This and That on the Corner in Milford. Tickets will also be available at the door on the evening of the concert. For more information or to request an accommodation for a disability, visit hunterdonmusicalarts.org or call 908-995-7977.