John Ferrillo, principal oboe of the Boston Symphony, will join the Midcoast Symphony

as soloist in the orchestra's final concerts of the season on May 17 in Lewiston and May 18 in Topsham.

Ferrillo will perform the Concerto in D major for Oboe by Richard Strauss.

This highly lyrical concerto was written in 1945, and was one of the composer's last works. It is perhaps the loveliest in the orchestral literature for the instrument.

However, it is not performed often because its long melodic phrases require exceptional technique and breath control on the part of the soloist, and only virtuosos of the instrument can play it. Ferrillo last performed the work with conductor James Levine and the Boston Symphony in the 2004-2005 season.

Before joining the Boston Symphony in 2001, Ferrillo was principal oboe with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 15 years and before that was a member of the San Francisco Symphony.

The orchestra's program will also include Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1 in G minor, often called the "Winter Dreams" Symphony, and Franz Schubert's Rosamunde Ballet Music No. 2.

The program will be conducted by Rohan Smith, the orchestra's Music Director.

The concerts are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at the Orion Performing Arts Center in Topsham. Tickets are $14 at the door and $12 in advance. Everyone 21 and under is admitted free.

Visit www.midcoastsymphony.org, or call 371-2780 for more information about the program and tickets.