Auburn Symphony Orchestra continues its season with Musical Gems on Feb. 15-16, featuring Antonin Dvorak’s ambitious Symphony No. 7, at the Auburn Performing Arts Center.

The work is considered by many as equal in stature to Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony and demonstrates a new level of mastery and a deeply-felt commitment to his patriotism and Czech nationalism.

Also featured is ASO’s esteemed principal clarinetist, Jennifer Nelson, performing Carl Maria von Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2, one of the composer’s greatest works that concludes with “one of the most glittery, virtuosic passages in the clarinet repertoire.”

Prior to the performance, Conductor Stewart Kershaw and KUOW host Dave Beck will give a pre-concert lecture, focusing on the composers and their works.

Special offer

Surprise your sweetheart with a concert and dinner date.

Choose either Saturday evening’s performance or Sunday’s matinee, and have dinner at Don Giovanni Ristorante Italiano and Wine Bar in Auburn.

Dinner is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Two tickets for a concert and dinner are $120.

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Musical Gems

• Program: Nielsen Helios Overture; Weber, Clarinet Concerto No. 2; Dvorak, Symphony No. 7

• When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, free pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, free pre-concert lecture at 1:45 p.m.

• Where: Auburn Performing Arts Center, 206 E St. NE

• Tickets: Reserved seats: $34 adults, $27 seniors, $10 students. Special $120, concert and dinner. Call 253-887-7777 or purchase online at auburnsymphony.org.