When Leonard Bernstein wrote his grandiose and controversial “Mass” for the opening performances of the Kennedy Center in 1971, he subtitled the work “Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers.” The moniker was no surprise, given the composer’s vast Broadway background coupled with an unparalleled knowledge of the classical repertoire.

Now, 37 years later, combine Bernstein’s protégé, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra music director Marin Alsop (who honors the conductor-composer’s musical legacy this year), with Baltimore’s rich stable of performing arts groups, and the result is, clearly, one of the most eagerly anticipated highlights of the orchestra’s season.

Recommended Stories

FEC faces website filing system outages the week before midterm elections

Obama and Slotkin’s selective defense of American ideals

The military’s $1 billion drone plan to take on China — and how it hopes it never has to use them