Feed your soul with two of the most glorious and beloved masterpieces of 19th century French music on May 9 at 7:00 pm, when the Elmhurst Symphony’s season finale brings together Gabriel Fauré’s sublime Requiem and César Franck’s fiery Symphony in D minor, two pieces which will complement and contrast each other in beautiful ways. Composed for the Church of the Madeleine in Paris, Fauré’s Requiem is one of the most sumptuous and moving pieces of sacred music ever written, with low and lush orchestration. It will feature the combined 130 voices of the Elmhurst Choral Union and Tower Chorale, along with soloists Josefien Stoppelenburg, soprano, and Evan Bravos, baritone. Franck’s Symphony, rich in stirring melodies and orchestral fire, will highlight the full power of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, bringing the season to a triumphant close.
Called “an astonishing singer’” by the Chicago Tribune, soprano Josefien Stoppelenburg appears as a soloist in the United States, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. She and her sister Charlotte perform as a vocal duo with concerts broadcast on Dutch national television and radio, including their concert for the Dutch Royal Family. Also an accomplished painter, Josefien has had many exhibitions in the Netherlands and frequently paints on commission.
Baritone Evan Bravos, a St. Charles, IL, native, is a rising star on the musical scene. A graduate of Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music, he has appeared in operas and musical theater and in concert with musical organizations in the Chicago area, the Midwest and at the Aspen Music Festival. He was an Apprentice Artist at Central City Opera in 2014 and has sung at the Kennedy Center.
Elmhurst Choral Union, founded in 1952 and directed by James MacDonald, is an auditioned volunteer choir, singing with a professional orchestra and soloists, performing classical masterworks and great choral music of all eras. Its talented singers range from high school students to retirees. It has often appeared with the ESO.
The Tower Chorale, directed by Patrick Godon, is a 90-voice community chorus comprised of amateur and professional singers. Known for musical diversity, this non-profit organization has been one of the premier music groups in Chicago’s western suburbs since its founding by James Winfield in 1986.
Generous sponsors for this concert include Richard and Jane Kiep (Symphony in D minor) and Keith and Irmgard Olson with Raita Vilnins (Requiem.)
The ESO, under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Stephen Alltop, will perform in the spectacular space at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst, which is handicapped-accessible and offers free parking. The concert experience is enhanced by the informative and lively discussion, Behind the Music Stand, led by audience favorite Dr. Ted Hatmaker, which takes place at 5:45 pm, prior to the concert.
To purchase concert tickets please visit the ESO web site www.elmhurstsymphony.org. Premium price at the door is an additional $5 per ticket to the regular individual ticket price. For information visit the web site or call the ESO Box Office at 630-941-0202.
The 54th season of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is made possible in part by grants from the City of Elmhurst, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and 90.9FM WDCB, Chicago’s Home for Jazz.