Maryland Opera will hold two concerts honoring longtime advocates of opera on Feb. 16 and March 16, 2025, both at 3 p.m. The “Heritage Series” concerts will be two hours long with intermissions, in large venues in the greater Baltimore area. Both will feature internationally acclaimed artists and guest instrumentalists, and operatic tours de force performances.The Feb. 16 concert honors Drs. Mahin Shamszad and Homayoon Farzadegan. The concert will be presented at Grace United Methodist Church in North Baltimore.Shamszad and Farzadegan have been longtime supporters of opera in Baltimore. Shamszad was on the board of the Baltimore Opera and has multiple charitable affiliations. She has been a gastroenterologist for over 30 years. Farzadegan is a researcher with The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Infectious Disease Epidemiology division.The program for Feb. 16 includes selections from “Il barbiere di Siviglia,” “Carmen,” “Into the Woods,” and more, will feature soprano Katerina Burton, tenor John Pickle, and baritone Andrew Manea. Mr. Andrea Manea appears courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera. The March 16 concert will honor Susie and Sam Macfarlane and will take place at the Church of the Redeemer in North Baltimore. Also longtime supporters of the Baltimore Opera, the Macfarlanes are known as the originators of the Opera Bears, singing teddy bears dressed as opera characters that helped introduce children to the fun and beauty of opera. The program will feature soprano Tasha Hokuao Koontz, mezzo-soprano Kate Jackman, and tenor Dane Suarez, in arias and duets from “Don Giovanni,” “Aïda,” “West Side Story,” and more.Maryland Opera Artistic Director James Harp will be the stage and musical director for both concerts, and he will also provide piano accompaniment for all selections. A chamber orchestra will join him in the accompaniment. Harp is well known for excellence in operatic performances and musical outreach in the Mid-Atlantic area.“We are humbled to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of our supporters who have nurtured our past and now celebrate our future!” Harp said in a statement.  “It is our honor to present these magnificent programs specially curated to inspire, dedicate, entertain, and reveal.  These truly grand opera excerpts, sung by internationally renowned artists, will make us think we are in the grandest opera house imaginable; all we need is passion and imagination.  Please join us as we celebrate great music and the great people in our opera family!” Tickets are $34 for adults and $18 for students and are available on Maryland Opera’s website by clicking this link, or by calling 484-678-6041, and at the door on the day of the performance. Seating is limited, though, so advance orders are recommended.  Free parking is available at both venues. The Feb. 16 Heritage Series concert honoring Mahin Shamszad & Homayoon Farzadegan will take place at 3 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, which is located at 5407 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD.The March 16 Heritage Series concert honoring Susie & Sam Macfarlane will take place at 3 p.m. at Church of the Redeemer, 5603 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD.