The A Cappella Choir at Stephen F. Austin State University will present “A Fauré Feast” when the ensemble performs a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
Featuring the music of French composer Gabriel Fauré, the program will also showcase as soloists SFA music faculty members Debbie Berry, soprano; Jennifer Dalmas, violin; Charlotte Davis, soprano; Scott LaGraff, baritone; Ron Petti, piano; and Evgeni Raychev, cello. An orchestra comprised of university faculty and graduate students will accompany the performance.
Fauré’s works to be performed include Requiem in d, “Cantique de Jean Racine,” “Tarantelle” and “Élégie.”
A Cappella Choir Director Dr. Tim King, Regents Professor and director of choral activities at SFA, described Fauré (1845-1924) as “the foremost composer of his generation.” His greatest and most well-known choral work, Requiem in d, has several editions and orchestrations.
“The original orchestration, which will be presented on the concert, is scored for viola, cello, bass, organ and brass,” King explained. “Interestingly, it is without violins except for a beautiful violin solo in the ‘Sanctus.'”
Fauré wrote of the work, “Everything I managed to entertain by way of religious illusion I put into my Requiem, which moreover is dominated from beginning to end by a very human feeling of faith in eternal rest.”
“I am indebted to my SFA School of Music colleagues who are willing to give of their time and talent to present this glorious work,” King said.
The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the School of Music.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
