LEWISTON — Concert artist and teacher George Sebastian Lopez will open the 2018-2019 Piano Series season at the Gendron Franco Center at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28. The program will feature works by Clara and Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms.

The Center’s Piano Series — now in its 13th season — is unique in Maine, presenting six programs each season by world-class artists and rising stars. This year, the schedule includes the Center debut of internationally-acclaimed artist Diane Walsh and two concerts featuring works for two pianos/four hands, bringing to center stage both of Performance Hall’s Steinway concert grand pianos.

Soloist Mauro Bertoli headlines the Friday, Nov. 2, program, followed by the appearance of Diane Walsh on Dec. 21. Much admired for their solo performances in past seasons, Igor Lovchinsky and Matthew Graybil will collaborate on a program of two-piano compositions on March 8, 2019. On April 5, series favorites David Fung and Henry Kramer will present a program of two-piano and solo pieces. On May 10, Henry Kramer returns for a solo program to close the season.

This month, Lopez begins his eighth year as the Beckwith Artist-in-Residence at Bowdoin College, where he has also taken up the baton as conductor of the Bowdoin Chamber Orchestra. 

Admission is $15, free for students. A season pass for all six concerts is $60. A pre-concert social hour begins when the doors open at 6 p.m. The Dolard and Priscilla Gendron Franco Center is at 46 Cedar St. and is handicap accessible. All proceeds to benefit the Franco Center. Visit or call the box office at 207-783-1585, or go to FranoCenter.org. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before every show.

George Sebastian Lopez


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