From baroque legend Antonio Vivaldi to opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, to compostional poet Ottorino Respighi, Italy鈥檚 influence on the world of classical music is as coveted as their presence in the culinary world.

In honour of such Italian greats, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Viva L鈥橧talia 鈥� the fourth performance of the Chase Wines Masterworks series 鈥� in 琉璃神社 Feb. 16, Penticton Feb. 17 and Vernon Feb. 18.

鈥淭his is the perfect Valentine鈥檚 Day gift for anyone who forgot it鈥檚 Valentine鈥檚 Day,鈥� said OSO music director Rosemary Thomson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good show for someone who might be new to classical music.鈥�

The performance kicks off with the slow, dramatic intro of Verdi鈥檚 opera Nabucco 鈥� one of the renowned composer鈥檚 most well-known compisitions, if not by name, then sound 鈥� and quickly builds into orchestral thunder.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just a great feeling with it,鈥� Thomson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a fun piece and a great way to open the show.鈥�

Verdi, born 1813 in rural Italy, rose to fame through his operas that championed the Risorgimento movement, better known as the unification of Italy, and served a brief term as elected politician.

鈥淚n his day, he was like the national hero of Italy,鈥� Thomson said. 鈥淗is music kind of brought the country together and became like the anthem of Italy. He鈥檚 still super popular around the world.鈥�

Picking up the brass alongside the OSO in Viva L鈥橧talia is German-born Canadian trumpeter Jens Lindemann. Now based in Los Angeles, Lindemann is the only solo brass player to be awarded with the Order of Canada and has performed at Carnegie Hall and for Queen Elizabeth II.

鈥淟indemann is a thundering trumpet player,鈥� Thomson said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing he can鈥檛 do on the trumpet.鈥�

To showcase the UCLA teacher鈥檚 natural flair and virtuosity, Lindemann will ring through three short concertos: two baroque pieces and one finely-tuned concerto, crafted specifically for Lindemann鈥檚 talent.

Armed with a piccolo trumpet, the smallest of it鈥檚 kind that rocks one octave higher than its standard-tuned cousin, Lindemann will perform a baroque concerto by Tomaso Albinoni.

鈥淲hen its in the hands of a master, the sound (of a piccolo trumpet) is beautiful,鈥� Thomson said of the high octave achieved on the brass. 鈥淚t鈥檚 never shrill.鈥�

Joining forces with Lindemann on Vivaldi鈥檚 Concerto for Two Trumpets is OSO principal trumpet Audrey Patterson.

鈥淪he鈥檚 really an amazing trumpet player,鈥� Thomson said of Patterson while humming to the tune in perfect pitch. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard for people to recognize music in print. Once they hear it, they go, 鈥極h. I鈥檝e heard this.鈥欌��

However, Lindemann鈥檚 expertise doesn鈥檛 remain solely in the world of classical music, Thomson said.

Written by Alan Gilliland specifically to showcase Lindemann鈥檚 talent, Dreaming of the Masters rounds off the trumpeter鈥檚 three concertos with the OSO.

鈥淭his piece has nothing to do with Italy,鈥� Thomson laughed. 鈥淗e (Gilliland) wrote it specifically for Jens knowing what he can do virtuosically. It was sort of a tip of the hat to past greats of the jazz world.鈥�

Like a true jazz standard should, Dreaming of the Masters leaves room for Lindemann to imrprovise, bending the tune to the current vibe.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really a lot of fun,鈥� Thomson said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to dig into this piece.鈥�

As Lindemann closes off his jazz swing, the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra will grace the stage alongside the OSO, for a grand total of 120 players, to end the performance with Respighi鈥檚 grandiose compositional poem, Pines of Rome.

The 22-minute, four-movement tone poem tells stories of Italy through the common-ground of pine trees, beginning with Pines of Villa Borghese, followed by The Pines Near a Catacomb, The Pines of the Janiculum and finally The Pines of the Appian Way.

Moreover, Respighi鈥檚 composition marks the high point in the OSYO program: the opportunity for kids to take up their instruments alongside professionals.

鈥淚t would be like starring a pee-wee team in the NHL,鈥� Thomson said, adding that the kids learn both consciously and through osmosis. 鈥淭he kids bring this wonderful energy. It鈥檚 palpable. It changes everything and the audience rides the waves.鈥�

Prior to the OSO performance in 琉璃神社 Friday night, 250 middle school band students have the opportunity to participate in 75-minute clinics in their instrument of choice led by OSO and OSYO players. While the clinics are currently only available in 琉璃神社, Thomson said she hopes to expand the program to Penticton and Vernon as well.

Hours after the clinics are done and the OSO and OSYO closes the show with The Pines of the Appian Way movement, Thomson said she hopes the performance will be a memorable one.

鈥淚 think this is a show that will be really delightful,鈥� Thomson said. 鈥淏y the end of that piece, we will blow the roof off the theatre.鈥�

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Viva L鈥橧talia at the 琉璃神社 Community Theatre Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Penticton鈥檚 Cleland Theatre Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $56.25 adult, $49 senior and $26.75 student and are available at .