A Midsummer Night's Dream

Franz Welser-Möst conducts the Cleveland Orchestra tonight at 7:30 at Severance Hall as it takes on Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream. With its lush melodies, the piece captures the magic of the world that Shakespeare created in his famous play. Renowned Israeli actor Itay Tiran and members of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus will be on hand too. Guest speaker Francesca Brittan, an assistant professor of musicology at Case Western Reserve University, will give the pre-concert talk, "Musical Magic Onstage," an hour before the show. Performances also take place at 8 on Saturday night and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $29. (Niesel)