The Fredonia School of Music has announced an exciting line-up of Special Events for the 2014-2015 season. From masterworks to folk songs, opera to royal banquets, there is something for everyone.
Quartetto Gelato will perform on Friday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall (reserved seating). The Toronto-based group performs virtuosic classical, folk and pop music with theatrical flair and a taste of acrobatics. The group, formed two decades ago, has carved out a worldwide audience as a non-traditional ensemble featuring combinations of tenor voice, violin, Celtic fiddle, cello, bass, accordion, oboe, English horn, clarinet, bass clarinet and guitar. The event is supported by the Fredonia School of Music, College of Visual and Performing Arts, American String Teachers Association, Fredonia Woodwind Association and Fredonia’s International Education Center. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $8 for students with ID.
The Hillman Opera, Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah” will be presented Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m., in Marvel Theatre. Considered a masterpiece of 20th century American music and theatre, the tells an age old morality tale using stunning Appalachian folk music themes framed in great operatic drama. It will be directed by Department of Theatre and Dance Professor Ted Sharon with Dr. David Rudge as music director. The event is made possible thanks to generous support from the Hillman Memorial Music Association. Tickets are $25 for the general public and $10 for student/child.
The Third Madrigal Feaste will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m., in the Williams Center. The scrumptious multi-course feaste heralds in the holiday season in traditional 15th century style with elaborately costumed performers, rousing music and merriment on a grand scale. The Fredonia Chamber and College choirs and actor troupe, led by Drs. Gerald Gray and James Ivey, will bring an evening of all-new music and theatre programs for an authentic and entertaining royal banquet experience. The event features open seating; full tables of 8 may be reserved by contacting Jennifer Darrell-Sterbak at 716-673-3686 or sterbajd@fredonia.edu. The event is supported by the Faculty Student Association. Tickets are $65 and must be purchased by Sunday, Nov. 30.
The Fifth Intercollegiate Choral Festival is slated for Saturday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall. Fredonia’s Chamber, College and Women’s choirs, conducted by Drs. Gerald Gray and Vernon Huff, will be joined by the Eastman Chorale under the direction of Dr. William Weinert for an afternoon of extraordinary choral music. Tickets are $10 for the general public and free for students with ID.
College Symphony Orchestra with Rachel Lee Priday, violin, will perform on Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m., in King Concert Hall. Combining a fierce intelligence with an imaginative curiosity, Ms. Priday is acclaimed for her beauty of tone, riveting stage presence, and “irresistible panache” (Chicago Tribune). An artist who seeks contemporary resonances with masterworks of the past, she has been praised by critics for her “dazzling, forceful technique,” “rich, mellifluous sound” and “silvery fluidity.” Ms. Priday joins forces with the Fredonia College Symphony under the direction of Dr. David Rudge for one of the most beloved concertos in the violin repertoire, the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35. Also on the program is Glinka’s Overture to “Ruslan and Ludmila,” and the Sibelius Symphony No. 1 in E minor, op. 39.
To conclude the series of special events, Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass” will be presented on Sunday, April 26 at 4 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall (reserved seating). The powerhouse event features the Fredonia Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. David Rudge, and the Fredonia Masterworks Chorus, directed by Dr. Gerald Gray, with soloists Janet Brown (soprano), School of Music faculty member and Fredonia alumna Laurie Tramuta (alto), Dr. Gray (tenor) and Jan Opalach (bass). The program also includes the U.S. premiere of Robert Moran’s “Eclipse, Air” by Arthur Foote, and Schubert’s “German Dances,” orchestrated by Anton Webern. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $8 for students with ID.
Tickets for individual events are on sale online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets, by phone 716-673-3501, or in person at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center. For a complete list of Fredonia School of Music events, including faculty, guest artist and student recitals, visit www.fredonia.edu/music.
