Glen Ellyn's New Philharmonic opens its 50th-anniversary season Sept. 26-27 with an all-Italian program at the McAninch Arts Center. "Musica Italiana Dolce" spans opera arias, orchestral classics and film scores across three performances in the Belushi Performance Hall.

Tenor Jesse Donner will headline the concerts, performing Puccini's "Nessun Dorma," "O Sole Mio" and two other selections. Donner, who has sung at the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, last appeared at the MAC in the orchestra's 2020 production of "The Merry Widow."

The program also features film themes audiences will recognize: Nino Rota's overture from "The Godfather," Ennio Morricone's theme from "Cinema Paradiso," Bill Conti's "Rocky" theme and selections from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "Il Postino." Orchestral works include the finale of Respighi's "Pines of Rome" and Rossini's "Barber of Seville" overture.

Trumpeter Jhoan Garcia, former principal trumpet of the Bogotá Symphony Orchestra, joins the orchestra for Hermann Bellstedt's "Napoli."

Music Director Kirk Muspratt called the 50th season a landmark and said the orchestra wanted to open with something special, according to a Patch announcement. Founded in 1977 by conductor Harold Bauer, the New Philharmonic is the oldest resident company at the MAC, which is itself marking its 40th anniversary this season. Muspratt has led the orchestra since 2004.

The Chicago Tribune reported Aug. 24 that the MAC hosts more than 380 events annually and draws between 100,000 and 140,000 visitors each year. In that same interview, Muspratt described his philosophy of connecting with audiences personally. "I don't care if you're selling vacuum cleaners, cars or Brahms, every business is about personal contact," he said. Free "MAC Chats" with music experts will precede each concert, starting one hour before showtime.

Performances are at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Tickets are $58 for adults, $56 for seniors and $68 for Gold Circle seating. Student tickets are $10, subject to availability. Tickets are available at AtTheMAC.org or by calling the box office at 630-942-4000.