To mark Metters’ return, the orchestra will entertain classical music lovers at the Opera House with Symphony No 8 and a concerto for cello.

Dvorak wrote Symphony No 8 in 1889 in the Bohemian countryside, completing in Prague where he also conducted its premiere.

He wrote the concerto for cello during his third term as the director of the National Conservatoire in New York. In 1894 conservatory teacher and composer Victor Herbert finished off his second cello concerto and later premiered it.

Metters, who has been the principal guest conductor and music advisor to the orchestra since 1999, was honoured by the government with the equivalent of the Order of Merit for his services too cultural development. It was the first such an award given to a UK citizen.

Metter’s repertoire is wide-ranging and embraces both main-stream classical and romantic repertory. He has always been an enthusiastic supporter of contemporary composers and has conducted a number of debut performances.