WILKES-BARRE — Within the next few months Mélisse Brunet will jet back and forth across the Atlantic four times to conduct orchestras in the United States and France.

Despite all her traveling, the Paris native has never had a chance to go to Latin America.

“Oh my God, I wish,” she said. “That is one of my dreams.”

But Brunet will get a taste of romantic Latin music when she serves as guest conductor of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Pops on Feb. 12 in Scranton and Feb. 13 in Wilkes-Barre.

“They are a great group of musicians who want to play at the highest level. They want to be challenged,” Brunet said, recalling how she conducted the regional orchestra during her audition process and again for one piece during the September concert.

The Valentine’s Day weekend concerts will include an appearance by the jazz ensemble the Mambo Kings as well as the orchestra, and Brunet is looking forward to presenting the audience with “a lot of energy and rhythm, a lot of color.”

“The pieces are very complementary. They express different feelings and atmospheres. I like every one of them.”

At this time last year, the conductor was leading an orchestra in the large French city of Nancy.

So, how do people celebrate this holiday in her homeland?

Brunet’s musical laughter erupted over the telephone line as she answered. “Everything about love and romance is very important in France.”

Children in school don’t exchange valentines with classmates as they do here, she said. “It’s really something more for adults. People will go to restaurants together in couples or go out to concerts.”

She doesn’t want individuals to think they should only attend the Philharmonic concerts as half of a couple. “I know if you are single it can be hard to go out on Valentine’s Day, but this concert will warm your heart.”

In addition to attending a concert at the Theater at Lackawanna College at 8 p.m. Feb. 12 or at the F.M. Kirby Center at 8 p.m. Feb. 13, music lovers can enjoy a pre-concert dinner.

The Feb. 12 dinner will be held at POSH at the Scranton Club. Filet of beef, Parmesan tilapia, shrimp cocktail shooters, an Italian table, signature salad and dessert will be served.

The Feb. 13 dinner is at Genetti’s. A Valentine’s Chocolate Decadence Dinner including filet mignon and pork, pasta station, potato and vegetable station, salad and grand dessert bar is available.

Dinner for two plus two concert tickets is $165 at both locations. Dinner for two, if you already have tickets, is $75. Tickets, for concert only, begin at $30 and student tickets are $15. For reservations call 570-270-4444.

IF YOU GO

What: ‘Music from Latin America’

Scranton concert: 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Theater at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton

Wilkes-Barre concert: 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.

Optional pre-concert Valentine’s dinner served at 5:30 p.m. at POSH in Scranton and Genetti’s Hotel in Wilkes-Barre.

Info: 570-270-4444.

Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT

By Mary Therese Biebel

mbiebel@timesleader.com

You can expect chocolate-infused foods and a grand dessert bar if you opt for the pre-concert dinner at Genetti’s. Pre-concert meals have been planned for POSH at the Scranton Club on Feb. 12 and at Genetti’s in Wilkes-Barre on Feb. 13.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_chocolate2.jpg.optimal.jpgYou can expect chocolate-infused foods and a grand dessert bar if you opt for the pre-concert dinner at Genetti’s. Pre-concert meals have been planned for POSH at the Scranton Club on Feb. 12 and at Genetti’s in Wilkes-Barre on Feb. 13. Weekender archive photos

The Mambo Kings will bring a variety of rhythms to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Pops Concert on Feb. 12 in Scranton and on Feb. 13 in Wilkes-Barre.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_mamboguys.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Mambo Kings will bring a variety of rhythms to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Pops Concert on Feb. 12 in Scranton and on Feb. 13 in Wilkes-Barre. Submitted photos

Mélisse Brunet
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Mlisse-Brunet-1-.jpeg.optimal.jpegMélisse Brunet Submitted photos