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| French composer Gabriel Fauré |
From our friends at the Cathedral Choral Society...
All-French Program Features J. Reilly Lewis at the Organ
The Cathedral Choral Society will present its third concert of the season, Fauré Requiem on Sunday, March 8 at 4:00 PM The all-French concert will include Langlais’ Messe Solennelle, Lili Boulanger’s Pie Jesu, Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in G minor, and Fauré’s Requiem in D minor. Featured soloists will be Cathedral Choral Society’s Music Director J. Reilly Lewis on the organ; soprano Stefanie Moore; and baritone Andrew Sauvageau.
Written following personal spiritual transformation, Poulenc’s Organ Concerto exudes heartfelt directness. Dictated to her sister at the end of her young life, the Pie Jesu for soprano and orchestra was Lili Boulanger’s requiem for herself. Best known for his sacred music, Langlais’ dramatic Messe Solennelle for organ and chorus is exemplary of his distinctive modal, plainsong-influenced style. Intimate and profoundly beautiful, Fauré’s Requiem is one of the most beloved pieces in the choral repertoire.
The Cathedral Choral Society is pleased to feature soloists J. Reilly Lewis, organ; Stefanie Moore, soprano; and Andrew Sauvageau, baritone. J. Reilly Lewis has served as the Music Director of the Cathedral Choral Society since 1985, and is an accomplished organist. He will be performing Poulenc’s Organ Concerto on this program. Lewis has given organ recitals throughout the United States and abroad and has been the featured organ soloist on several occasions with the National Symphony Orchestra. Todd Fickley, Associate Music Director for the Cathedral Choral Society, will guest conduct the Poulenc Organ Concerto.
“In Reilly’s thirtieth season as Music Director, this program will highlight his incredible versatility as a musician: as organ soloist, conductor, and choral director,” said Genevieve Twomey, Executive Director of the Cathedral Choral Society.
Stefanie Moore, soprano, is noted for her vocal spark and flexibility, and performs with highly regarded specialty ensembles Conspirare and Seraphic Fire. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas and has performed with the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, Washington Chorus, New World Symphony, and more.
Andrew Sauvageau, baritone, lives and performs frequently in the Baltimore/DC area. He is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory, and has been hailed by the Washington Post for tackling challenging music with aplomb. As a soloist, Sauvageau has worked with New York City Opera, Opera Lafayette, Great Noise Ensemble, and Mark Morris Dance Group, among others.
A pre-concert talk by Jeremy Filsell will be presented at 3:00 PM in Perry Auditorium (in the Cathedral tower). Filsell is a DC-based pianist and organist specializing in French repertoire, and is an Artist-in-Residence at Washington National Cathedral. Additionally, he is Director of Music at the Church of the Epiphany and Professor of Organ at Catholic University.
For Tickets: Regularly priced tickets begin at $25. Tickets for children and students with valid ID under the age of 25 are $15. Seniors, veteran, and military may receive 10% off (excludes Premium Nave). Complimentary parking is included with ticket purchase in the Cathedral’s underground parking garage courtesy of the Cathedral Choral Society. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, please call (202) 537-2228 | (877) 537-2228 or visit the website, www.cathedralchoralsociety.org.
About the Cathedral Choral Society:
The Cathedral Choral Society is the resident symphonic chorus of Washington National Cathedral. Now in its 73rd season, the 130-voice chorus presents an inspiring concert season at the Cathedral and shares the joy of choral singing throughout the Greater Washington, DC Area through its community engagement programs. Its 2014-15 season concludes this spring with Great Opera Choruses on May 17.
