Evoking St. Francis through music

St. Francis of Assisi was born into a rich family, but his experience of how beggars and indigents lived eventually caused him to embrace poverty. "Il Poverello" became his moniker, and is the title of a program curated by Jordan Sramek, artistic director of Twin Cities vocal group the Rose Ensemble. All of the music chosen has some connection with St. Francis, and its combination of plainchant, motets and songs spans more than three centuries. The Rose Ensemble specializes in the art of historically accurate performance, and this free presentation of "Il Poverello" is this week's must-see concert. (7:30 p.m. Wed.; St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul; free, reserve at roseensemble.org)

New Standards go symphonic

A piano, double bass and vibraphone provide the basic sonic mix used by the New Standards, and with it they cast a bewitching spell over the songs they choose to play and sing. Their repertoire ranges widely, from jazz and rock through punk, with seasonal detours into Christmas favorites. All three players straddle styles with effortless taste and discrimination, and trademark quirky humor. The Standards' meet-up with the Minnesota Orchestra this week is their first encounter with a full symphonic body, and should add an extra lushness to the band's typically unbuttoned modus operandi. (8 p.m. Sat., Orchestra Hall, Mpls. $30-$100, 612-371-5656 or mnorch.org)

ALSO RECOMMENDED

It's community outreach week at the Minnesota Orchestra, as the players hit the bandshells in a clutch of free hourlong concerts. Film music by John Williams and Tchaikovsky's booming 1812 Overture will suit the outdoor setting perfectly, while overtures by Verdi, Wagner and Rossini provide a bracing operatic element. Roderick Cox ascends the podium, marking his first year as the orchestra's assistant conductor. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Lakefront Park, Hudson, Wis.; 7:30 p.m. Tue., Lake Harriet Band Shell, Mpls.; 8:30 p.m. Wed., Hilde Performance Center, Plymouth; 8 p.m. Thu., Lake Park Bandshell, Winona, Minn.)

On the Iron Range the Northern Lights Music Festival gets up and running with an opening gala concert. Pianist Veda Zuponcic, an Aurora, Minn., native, founded the festival 12 years ago and helms a performance of Ravel's powerful Piano Trio, with faculty members Mikhail Kopelman and Yosif Feigelson on violin and cello. (4 p.m. Sat., Mesabi East School, Aurora, Minn.; $5-$15, 1-218-780-2292 or northernlightsmusic.org)

The series of summer organ concerts at Wayzata Community Church is currently providing an ideal lunchtime freshener on Wednesdays. Recital No. 3 of seven is given by Luther College graduate Ryan Hulshizer, on the church's splendid 70-rank tracker instrument built by the Hendrickson Organ Co., Minnesota organ makers for half a century. (12:15 p.m. Wed., 125 Wayzata Blvd E., Wayzata. Free. wayzatacommunitychurch.org)

Terry Blain