The Honolulu Symphony Beethoven Festival opens March 28 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall with the dramatic "Eroica" Symphony No. 3.

Festival opening night also features the Hawaii debut of Irish pianist John O'Conor, the "Poet of the Piano," in performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor.

O'Conor, who has earned a worldwide reputation as a masterful interpreter of the Classic and early-Romantic repertoires, is the ideal pianist for this groundbreaking Beethoven masterwork. Festival tickets range from $20 to $82 and are on sale now at Ticketmaster outlets, 1-877-750-4400, Macy's and www.ticketmaster.com.