LEWISTON - The Franco-American Heritage Center's fifth gala and benefit concert will feature Maine's Midcoast Symphony Orchestra and internationally acclaimed guest violinist Irina Muresanu.

The annual gala offers an evening of elegance, symphonic music and a generous table of wine and gourmet foods. The concert is a major fundraiser for the center.

For the Saturday, Oct. 25, concert, the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra will present Glinka's Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila; Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major with Muresanu as violin soloist; and Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in D Major with Rohan Smith, music director and conductor.

A part of the Maine music community since 1990, the MSO is an ensemble of 60 musicians and includes all the instruments of the modern symphony orchestra. The MSO is one of the center's resident groups, presenting multiple concerts and performing a wide range of music from classical to modern.

Muresanu has won international acclaim as an outstanding young soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. She has achieved top prizes in numerous international violin competitions, including the Montreal International, Queen Elizabeth Violin, UNISA International String, Washington International and Schadt String. She has also won the Pro Musicis International Award, the Presser Music Award and the Arthur Foote Award from the Harvard Musical Association.

The Los Angeles Times wrote that Muresanu's "musical luster, melting lyricism and colorful conception" made her performance "especially admirable."

The fundraiser includes a wine reception at 6 p.m., with the concert following at 7:30 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided by The Sedgeley Place, Antonio's Deli, Bates College, Ramada Conference Center, Wei-Li, Chic-A-Dee, Grant's Bakery, Rolly's, Mailhot's and the Italian Bakery. A champagne reception will follow the concert at 9:30 p.m., when patrons can meet the conductor, Muresanu and musicians in the orchestra.

Tickets to the black-tie-optional event are $50 and may be purchased at 689-2000. The center is at 46 Cedar St. For more information, log on to www.francoamericanheritage.org or call the Franco Center box office at 689-2000.