Alexander and the NAC OrcThis evening’s concert by the NAC Orchestra hosts an exhilarating meeting of artistic minds, each at the top of their game. Canadian composer and NAC Orchestra creative partner Barbara Assiginaak’s new work, Concerto grosso, is the first in a 3-part cycle featuring different combinations of instruments, celebrates NACO’s own brilliant ensemble playing. Acclaimed Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins makes his Southam Hall solo debut to perform a powerful work written expressly for him that conveys the tragedy of lives needlessly lost. Songs for Murdered Sisters is an NAC and Houston Grand Opera co-commissioned song cycle, conceived as both a fully orchestrated piece for voice and symphony orchestra, and as a chamber piece for voice and piano, based on original poetry by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. Music by Jake Heggie, best known for his operas Dead Man Walking and It’s a Wonderful Life, embraces and builds on the passion of Atwood’s powerful words.