UTAH SYMPHONY AND WOMEN’S CHORUS, Nicholas McGegan, conductor, Abravanel Hall, Feb. 25; second performance 8 p.m. Feb. 26; tickets at 801-355-2787 or 888-451-2787

While Felix Mendelssohn’s complete incidental music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been done by the Utah Symphony in the past, it’s really not played with any frequency in the concert hall. Except, of course, for the overture, which has been a staple in the symphonic repertoire almost from the day it was written, and is without doubt one of Mendelssohn’s most popular works.

This weekend, however, concertgoers get the chance to hear the incidental music played by the Utah Symphony under guest conductor Nicholas McGegan, who gave a lustrous account of the work Friday.

McGegan, whose gestures on the podium are expressive and fluid, captured the essence of the music wonderfully. His bright tempos allowed the music to flow and breathe naturally and allowed him to bring out the lightness and transparency of the score. McGegan elicited nuanced and finely crafted playing from the orchestra. His reading was exuberant, vibrant and did justice to Shakespeare’s play.

Joining McGegan were members of the Utah Shakespeare Festival: festival founder Fred Adams; festival co-director David Ivers; festival education director Michael Don Bahr; and actor Kymberly Mellen. They did an exceptional job reading excerpts from the play and added a great deal to the enjoyment of the music.

The Utah Symphony’s Women’s Chorus were wonderful as were soloists Angela Theis, soprano, and Kate Tombaugh, mezzo-soprano, both members of Utah Opera’s ensemble program. Both have lyrical voices and they sang with beautifully phrased expressiveness.

The concert opened with Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 59 (“Fire”) and George Frideric Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks.

McGegan, who is a remarkable early music exponent, elicited radiant performances from the orchestra in both works. Playing was crisp, precise and wonderfully articulated and executed. Phrases were nicely textured and there was a vibrancy to the playing that brought depth to the readings.

Every section of the orchestra played fabulously and special mention must be made of the brass players in the Handel. They outdid themselves at Friday’s performance.

With this kind of playing on display, one has to wonder why it’s taken so long for McGegan to come to Salt Lake City lead the Utah Symphony. One can only hope he will make a return visit to Abravanel Hall. He and the symphony are a splendid pairing.