Review: GLORIA MUSICAE at First Church

Gloria Musicae

Taking a sneak peek at the upcoming Sunday, March 5 performance of Faithfully French Choral Gems performed by Gloria Musicae was glorious! Gloria Musicae is Sarasota's only professional chorus. Founded in 1979 by Soprano Arden Fowler, today's ensemble is comprised of 24 classically trained singers and 8 apprentice singers ranging in ages from 18 to 22.

Hailed as the choral component of the Sarasota French Cultural festival, this Sunday's performance, under the artistic direction of Dr. Joseph Holt and executive director Susan Burke, features guest virtuoso concert organist Stephen Hamilton, baritone David Davani, semi-finalist in the Artist Series Concerts National Competition for Voice in 2016, accomplished Oratorio singer Amy Jo Connours, and Korean-American coloratura soprano Jenny Kim-Godfrey. Several proficient members of the Sarasota Orchestra accompany the chorus.

Duruflé's Requiem and Poulenc's Gloria are masterpieces to behold. From the moment Conductor Holt slices the air with his baton, the sacred richness of these pieces come to life. Enhanced with a heart pounding timpani, lilting harp, bold trumpets, poetic cellos and violins, an upright bass and superlative organ modulations, the Gloria Musicae singers take you on an emotional journey. That's what choral music does. It is something one has to experience. The solos are brilliant and devout. The chorus, when engaged to embellish, will take your breath away as they embody the vocal prominence of a choir three times their size. It's a respite for the soul to experience the sweet and mellow, bold and beautiful dynamics of this treasured and versatile group's 35-year tradition.

It is worthy to note Gloria Musicae's passion does not end with their role as a chorus but extends into the community as they undertake artistic endeavors and strategic partnerships with other organizations to create programs beneficial to the art form and the community. Extending musical excellence through education, Gloria Musicae has an outreach to middle and high school students and teachers called Giving Bach, whereby students can watch and learn by attending rehearsals. In addition, try-outs are held each year for students of ages 16-22 for select spots as apprentices. In memory of former board member Barbara Diles, The Babara Diles Apprentice Scholarship is given each year to an outstanding apprentice to further their vocal training in support of tuition and fees at an institution of higher learning or towards private lessons.

Gloria Musicae is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, the Woman's Exchange of Sarasota, and the Sarasota Tourist Development Council.

You can purchase tickets by phone at 941-387-6046 or online at http://www.gloriamusicae.org

Sunday March 5, 2017 7:00pm

First Church

104 S. Pineapple Street Sarasota, FL 34236

Length of performance with intermission is 90 minutes

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