Sunday, October 18, 2009; 3pm
Andrea Matthews, Soprano
Philip Lima, Baritone
The Chatham Chorale, Mastersingers by the Sea, and singers from local choruses
Poulenc: Gloria
Fauré: Requiem
St. Anthony of Padua Parish / 1359 Acushnet Avenue / New Bedford, MA 02746 / 508.993.1691
Tickets are $28 General Admission; $10 Children/Students. Please call the Z Box Office at 508-994-2900 on online www.zeiterion.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.
The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will be performing two of the most-loved choral works at the spectacular St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the north end of New Bedford. Francis Poulenc's Gloria is one of the most recognized choral works of the 20th century, with its iconic opening figure and stunning orchestration. Touching on a large range of emotions, this dramatic religious piece exemplifies Poulenc's own beliefs and faith in human understanding. A rather short piece, it ends with shimmering ambiguity and leaves you aching for more.
Gabriel Fauré is best known for his magnificent Requiem, featuring the famous movement Pie Jesu. Having been referred to as a lullaby of death, it is a unique work in the repertoire of choral-orchestral works and takes a more hopeful perspective on the traditional form of the requiem, viewing death as a release, rather than torment.
Among noted soprano Andrea Matthews' many operatic roles are Gilda in Rigoletto, Euridice in Glucks Orfeo ed Euridice, Susanna in Marriage of Figaro, Marie in Bartered Bride, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Nannetta in Falstaff, Musetta in La Bohème, and Violetta in La Traviata, which she performed during her engagement (1990-92) with the Aachen Opera in Germany, as well as on tour in Spain, Portugal, and France. She has appeared in recent seasons with the Boston Academy of Music in their productions of Arabella, Vanessa, and Il Trittico. Richard Dyer wrote in The Boston Globe: "As the elusive Mélisande, Andrea Matthews bound her expressive delivery of the words into exquisitely colored musical phrases, carried on a seamless legato." In concert works ranging from Bach and Mozart to Mahler, Stravinsky, and Górecki, she has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Atlanta and Houston Symphonies, and Buffalo Philharmonic, among many others. She can be heard on Newport Classic, Polygram, Vox Cum Laude, Premier, and Naxos CDs.
In recent seasons, Philip Lima has appeared in leading baritone roles with opera companies across the United States and in Germany in a wide range of traditional and contemporary repertoire, as well as recital, concert, and oratorio performances domestically and in Italy, Ukraine, and South Korea. The Boston Globe has called his singing "glorious," and the Cleveland Plain Dealer praised him as possessing "a vibrant baritone and commanding presence."
About St. Anthony's
One of the largest and most beautiful Catholic Churches in New England, St. Anthony of Padua Parish was built between 1902-1912. Designed by the Montreal architect Joseph Venne (the architect of the famous St. Josephs Oratory in Montreal) and decorated by two famous Italian artists, Giovanni Castagnoli and Guido Nincheri, the Church would be fitting as the cathedral of any major European City. Among its many features are its renowned 1912 Casavant Frères Organ, its 5,500 decorative lights and its 256-foot steeple. Originally built by French Canadian immigrants to New Bedford, it now serves both English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking Catholics. A full history of the parish is found at www.saintanthonynewbedford.com. Please note that St. Anthonys is not handicap accessible.
Video Services Provided by
3 Thirteen Productions
www.3thirteenproductions.com
Loading...
7:07July 3rd Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO)by iAMrozak916 views
Link to this comment:
All Comments (0)