More than a thousand people filled City Hall Auditorium in Portland to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hermann Kotzschmar's arrival in the city from his native Germany.
It was an evening of grand music. A large chorus from Portland and surrounding areas sang Haydn's Creation under Kotzschmar's direction.
Guest musicians included the Boston Festival Orchestra and vocal soloists from Boston and New York City.
The venerable conductor was honored with speeches of appreciation, floral tributes and a gold-tipped baton made of ebony.
