“Performing our last concert at Lafayette College will be the conclusion of a tour awakening history in our conscience and dedicated to the young people as a message of hope,” says Lila Forcade, Director General of the French National Orchestra of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

“We are honoring our global heritage and connection to Lafayette’s place of birth by bringing the orchestra to our campus and connecting our communities,” says Ty Furman, Lafayette College Director of the Performance Series.

“The Lafayette Musical & Immersive Bicentennial Tour (1825-2025)” is presented at 2 p.m. April 27, Williams Center for the Arts, Easton.

The concert marks 200 years since Marquis de Lafayette’s return to America. The program includes historical projections, a concert by the French National Orchestra of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and remarks by Lafayette descendant Virginie de Pusy de La Fayette.

A pre-concert talk at 1 p.m. April 27 will be given by Ilan Peleg, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law of Lafayette College. The presentation highlights the relationship between the concert of the French National Orchestra of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the values represented by the Marquis de Lafayette.

The 2 p.m. concert begins with a 10-minute film on the life of Lafayette and his importance in Franco-American history.

Under the direction of internationally-acclaimed conductor, composer and violinist Thomas Zehetmair, the orchestra opens with “The Anonymous Lover: Opening” by composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George (1745-1799). Composed in 1780, the comedic opera in two acts is Bologne’s sole surviving opera.

“Andante for Strings” by American composer and musicologist Ruth Crawford Seeger (1901-1953) is the third movement of her 1931 composition, “String Quartet.”

Conductor Zehetmair is soloist for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s (1756-1791) “Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, KV. 219” (1775), followed by Zehetmair’s “Passacaglia, Burlesque and Chorale for String Orchestra,” composed for the tour.

The concert concludes with the “Great Fugue in B flat major Opus 133” (1825) by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).

Founded in 1981, the French National Orchestra of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has recorded 50 albums exploring musical styles from Baroque masterpieces to contemporary creations.

Says Furman, “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our founding namesake and the principles he lived by.”

“This college stands as an emblem of courage and liberty, strong ideals deeply loved by Lafayette,” says Forcade, noting that “by giving the final note to Lafayette College, we share values precious to us: innovation, well-being and excellence.”

“The Lafayette Musical & Immersive Bicentennial Tour (1825-2025),” 2 p.m. April 27, 1 p.m. pre-concert talk; Williams Center for the Arts, 317 Hamilton St., Easton; Tickets: 610-330-5009; https://williamscenter.lafayette.edu/event/lafayette-immersive-bicentennial-tour/

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com