Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Patricia Risley, an Allentown native who has sung with symphony orchestras and opera companies in United States and abroad, is soloist with the Allentown Band, 3 p.m. Sept. 25 in “The Arts at St. John’s” series, St. John’s Lutheran Evangelical Church, 37 S. Fifth St., Allentown.

Women of The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Touring Choir, with David Macbeth, Artistic Director, also sings in the concert.

Centerpiece for the concert is Johan de Meij’s “Symphony No. 4 (Symphony of Songs)” for solo voice, treble chorus and wind orchestra. with Risley and the Touring Choir women.

The work, premiered in 2013, has achieved international acclaim and has been programmed by leading bands in the United States, Europe and Asia. The work was inspired by 19th century German poems. The first three movements use lyrics from “Kindertotenlieder” by Friedrich Ruckert. The second half of the symphony is based on poems by Heinrich Heine and Hugo von Hofmannstal.

The program includes “Fandango” by Frank Perkins, “March of the Princesses” from “Cinderella” by Jules Massenet; “Danzon No. 2” by Arturo Marquez, “Maracaibo (Beguine)” by John Morrissey and “Dance of the Hours” from “La Gioconda” by Amilcare Ponchielli.

Opera News hails Risley for “her voice … luscious and agile, her characterization both boisterous and tender” as well as her beautiful “singing with ease and certainty.”

Risley is a frequent guest at the Metropolitan Opera where she made her debut as Tebaldo in “Don Carlo” and has returned for Rosina in “The Barber of Seville,” Tisbe in “La Cenerentola,” Flora in “La Traviata,” Ciesca in “Gianni Schicchi” and Mercedes in “Carmen.” She is a former member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center. Risley has sung at opera houses worldwide.

She has accompanied The New York Philharmonic, Ravinia Festival in Chicago, Israeli Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Boston Baroque. Her recordings include “Le Nozze Di Figaro” (Barenboim/Arthaus), “Elmer Gantry” (Naxos) and “Pasatieri’s Frau Margot” (Albany Records).

Demkee is Conductor-Music Director and Personnel Manager of the Allentown Band and Aissociate Conductor, Pops Conductor and Principal Tuba with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra.

Seating is unreserved. A free-will offering will be taken.