BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Symphony Orchestra at the Butler Intermediate High School Auditorium Saturday evening performed a concert of dramatic romantic compositions and opera arias for a splendid musical Valentine.

Conductor Matthew Kraemer opened the concert with Ottorino Respighi’s “Fountains of Rome,” the first in Respighi’s tone poem series depicting the beauty of Rome. Its delicate lyrical opening, played beautifully by the woodwind section, swelled to a majestic contrast with the brass section before a solemn conclusion punctuated by a single chime. Kraemer led the musicians through this Roman tour to illustrate the range of emotions that would be the theme of the evening.

One of those emotions was certainly anticipation to welcome Marianne Cornetti, world-renowned mezzo-soprano and Butler County native. Enthusiastic applause from the audience of about 1,000 greeted her when she stepped on stage to sing “La Mort de Cleopatra” by Hector Berlioz.

Cornetti’s commanding voice told of Cleopatra’s regrets of the past, disappointment in herself, and guilt of betraying Alexandria and the gods of Egypt. When she laments that only death is left for her, the pizzicato heartbeat rhythm of the cellos counts out the last moments of her life.

The translation was provided via slides on stage left.

Cornetti’s interpretation was superb, and the orchestra mirrored her passion.

After intermission Kraemer led the orchestra in a vibrant rendition of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino Overture.” With a lovely woodwind opening to a grand brass answer, then fierce and playful violin passages, Kraemer and the orchestra again revealed the textural extremes of romantic music and grand opera.

Cornetti returned to sing Giuseppe Verdi’s tragic “Condotta ell’era in ceppi” from Il Trovatore with such passion that her emotions seemed constrained by standing still as she sang of anger, fear and unspeakable horror of killing her own son. No wonder that she seemed consumed by the role, for at the conclusion, she told the audience that she had performed the role of Azuncena 180 times throughout the world.

She expressed her gratitude of coming home to perform and claimed she could “go down every row and know everyone.”

Cornetti followed with the sensual “Mon couer souvre a at voix” from Camille Saint-Saens Samson et Dalila, a contrast to the previous tragic selections. Again Cornetti’s experience and skill beautifully conveyed the emotion of the aria.

The audience responded with a well-deserved standing ovation for the Knoch High School alumna.

Richard Wagner’s “Tannhauser Overture” concluded the concert in the robust, complex style of the composer.

With this selection, as throughout the concert, Kraemer and the musicians brought out the emotional nuances. In fact, the stylistically linked program created a wonderfully audience experience.

Brava to Marianne Cornetti for a 28-year-career that has thrilled the world and made Butler County proud. And bravo to the symphony for providing such a musical treat.