SATURDAY, July 11, 6:00pm

Michael Stern, conductor

ON THE PROGRAM

Claude Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

“From Man to Myth” considers how larger-than-life personalities capture the public imagination and, over time, become legend. Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun drifts in with luminous color and sensuous calm, its opening flute line evoking a mythical creature poised between dream and reality. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” was originally dedicated to Napoleon, whom the composer saw as a heroic symbol of a new era—before famously withdrawing the dedication in disillusionment. Monumental in scale and emotional sweep, the work charts struggle, mourning, and hard-won triumph, revealing both the power and fragility behind the making of a myth. 

FEATURED PHOTO BY ANDREW MAGUIRE

This year, the NRO is proud to partner with local photographers whose work embodies the theme “American Adventures.” Andrew Maguire is a Breckenridge, Colorado–based photographer and director known for crafting cinematic, human-centered stories rooted in the outdoor lifestyle. Blending Detroit grit with Rocky Mountain spirit, his work celebrates authentic connection, adventure, and the real people who move through wild places with purpose.