An acknowledged Mahler authority, Maestra Alsop is passionate about this composer — a man who grappled mightily with his own nature and that of all mankind, illuminating the human condition with every note he wrote. The Sixth Symphony is a massive undertaking— for the composer, for the conductor, for the orchestra and for the audience. Big, dramatic and life-affirming, it packs into one masterpiece Mahler’s lifelong efforts to succeed against the inevitable blows of fate. Not heard at the BSO since 1992, this is a rare opportunity to experience this extraordinary work.