Local musical groups unite to present Dvo?ák's Requiem, Saturday, April 22, at the Phillips Center

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In an event of mammoth proportions, the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra, Concert Choir and the Gainesville Civic Chorus Master Chorale will present Antonin Dvo?ák’s “Requiem” at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. A pre-performance discussion will be held in the Phillips Center Black Box Theatre at 6:45 p.m.

Rarely performed in the United States, Dvo?ák’s “Requiem” is not particularly well-known, but it ranks among the composer’s most mature and affecting works. At one hour and 45 minutes in length, it dwarfs both Verdi and Brahms’ “Requiems” by 25 and 45 minutes, respectively. It incorporates some of the Eastern European sounds for which Dvo?ák is famous, although not to the extent of his other works, and is noted for its dramatic elements.

Will Kesling, conductor of the University of Florida Concert Choir and the Gainesville Civic Chorus Master Chorale, writes, “Dvo?ák uses a motif for death that sounds as if the composer himself has stepped through a phantasmal portal into an undefined realm.”

Especially talented in weaving together text and music, Kesling has conducted hundreds of choral ensembles and some 50 professional symphony orchestras around the world. He currently serves as director of choral activities at the University of Florida; in his four years in the position, his choirs have appeared with the Kronos Quartet and the Three Italian Tenors, and made a first-ever appearance at the American Choral Directors Association Convention.

The University of Florida Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Raymond Chobaz, an associate professor of music. Chobaz also serves as the president of the International Max Kämpf Institute, chairman of the Tilly Keiser Foundation, and guest conductor with the Basel Sinfonietta in Switzerland and the Classic Opera Company in the United Kingdom.

Special guests joining the choruses and orchestra for the performance include Elizabeth Graham (soprano), head of the voice area at the University of Florida School of Music; Jennifer Luiken (mezzo-soprano), assistant professor of voice at Charleston Southern University; James Broussard (tenor), associate music director at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenville, South Carolina, and musical and stage director for the South Carolina Children’s Theater; and Anthony Offerle (bass), director of the opera workshop program at the University of Florida.

Tickets are: $35, front orchestra and mezzanine; $35, mid-orchestra; $30, rear orchestra; $25, balcony. $10 rush tickets for seats in the balcony may be available day of show.

Tickets to University of Florida Performing Arts events are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at (352) 392-ARTS (2787) or (800) 905-ARTS (2787) or by faxing orders to (352) 846-1562. Tickets are also available at the University Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.comor by calling Ticketmaster at (904) 353-3309. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group ticket sales are available.

$10 student tickets may be available. Students must purchase tickets in person with student ID at the Phillips Center Box Office or at University Box Office in the Reitz Union. Each student may purchase only one student ticket per performance, for himself or herself only. Student tickets are subject to availability.

The Phillips Center Box Office is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and two hours prior to performance time.

Performance dates, times and programs are subject to change.

Credits

Media Contact

Amy Bagner, (352) 392-1900, ext. 324