Symphony orchestra to perform 'Requiem' at Bedell

The Southeast Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra, University Choir and Choral Union will collaborate in performance of Gabriel Faure's "Requiem."

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. today at the Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University. Vocal soloists are Southeast faculty members Timothy Schmidt and Lori Shaffer. Also in concert will be 16-year-old violinist Amy Lidell. Lidell will perform Concerto No. 5 in A Minor by Henri Vieuxtemps.

"This is exciting if just for the number of people involved. We'll have around 100 singers and a large orchestra combined in this performance, and it's almost an event just getting everyone together," said Peter Durow, Southeast's director of choral activities. "You'll definitely hear some wonderful music and talented performers."

The concert will open with "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius. The overture is said to depict Russia's oppressive rule of Finland in the 19th century. The concert will continue with Concerto No. 5 in A Minor by 19th-century Belgian violinist Vieuxtemps and performed by Lidell with the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Currently a student of Mimi Zweig at Indiana University, Lidell has performed throughout the United States and won a number of awards. She was the winner of the second annual "Rising Star" competition held at Southeast in February.

The symphony will then join the University Choir and Choral Union in a performance of "Requiem" and "Trust," which were composed and will be conducted by Durow. "Trust" combines music with a poem by Daniel Webster Davis.

"Both works have such a beautiful setting, and I'm ecstatic to finally premiere 'Trust' to an audience," Durow said. "But 'Requiem' is also very special. It is basically a requiem Mass for the dead, so it's goal is to comfort. It's very lyrical and beautiful. Some have described it as having a lullaby feel to it."

Faculty member Sara Edgerton will conduct the concert, as well, and Edgerton and Durow will participate in a preconcert discussion beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets range from $14 to $18, and may be purchased by contacting the River Campus box office by calling 651-2265 or online at www.rivercampusevents.com.

jsamons@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

River Campus, Cape Girardeau, MO