Composer Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel was restricted from having a professional career due to her gender and upper-class status. In spite of this, she became an important musical figure in the nineteenth century and a symbol of women’s struggle for equality. Beyond the Notes features leading scholars whose presentations highlight the times and culture surrounding the works performed by the San Luis Obispo Master Chorale. The San Luis Obispo Master Chorale will host two free educational presentations given by Dr. Marian Wilson Kimber, Professor of Musicology at the University of Iowa, as part of its Beyond the Notes series. These presentations coincide with the SLO Master Chorale’s concert on Sunday, April 23 at 3pm at the San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center. Titled “Elijah,” it’s a performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s great theatrical oratorio Elijah, a dramatic work that tells the story of the prophet Elijah. More details about these presentations are available at www.slomasterchorale.org. Beyond the Notes is sponsored by Libbie Agran and the Shanbrom Family Foundation.