Seraphic Fire COURTESY PHOTO
From the energetic and stately sounds of the French Baroque to spine-tingling songs of protest, Seraphic Fire continues to present music that not only enthralls and challenges the listener, but also serves to educate and broaden their musical experiences.
Unique in South Florida for its offerings of professional vocal ensemble music, Seraphic Fire will open its season with A Seraphic Fire Christmas, charming audiences with peaceful renditions of carols and marking the launch of a new Christmas album recorded by the group. Returning for a fourth year, the Enlightenment Festival will feature the bracing soundtrack of Admiral Lord Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton’s visit with Franz Joseph Haydn.
This year, Seraphic Fire is joined by friends, both new and natural, on the podium: Ruben Valenzuela of Bach Collegium San Diego makes his Seraphic Fire inicio with seldom-heard works from the early German Baroque in The Fountains Of Israel. Elena Sharkova returns to share In Her Own Voice, a program highlighting women composers and libretti by women authors. Associate Conductor James K. Bass takes patrons on a Mid-Century Modern musical tour.
The season will also feature collaborations with UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music and University of Miami’s Frost School of Music as promising young vocalists, composers, and conductors join the ensemble during the Enlightenment Festival, In Her Own Voice, and Mid-Century Modern programs.
One hour before each concert, a Pre-Concert Conversation will be presented for attendees. Free to attend, Associate Conductor James Bass and other guest lecturers guide audiences through engaging discussions about the musicological and sociological issues surrounding the pieces being performed by the ensemble.
Subscriptions are on sale at www.SeraphicFire.org/Subscribe and by phone at 305-285-9060. Single tickets will go on sale on Sept. 5.
2023-2024 Season
¦ December 2023
A SERAPHIC FIRE CHRISTMAS
James K. Bass, conductor
The gentle glow of candlelight and angelic tones of Seraphic Fire a cappella voices open the holiday season and provide a moment of reflection and peace to connect with friends and loved ones. This concert can become the soundtrack of the season — literally — since it marks the release of Seraphic Fire’s newest Christmas album.
Performance: Wed, Dec 6, 7 p.m. | Moorings Presbyterian, Naples
¦ January 2024
In Her Own Voice
Elena Sharkova, guest conductor
Conductor Elena Sharkova returns for a concert highlighting the creative expressions of women composers and poets. Enjoy a diverse program of music where the lives, experiences, passions, and pains of women are described in their own voices. University of Miami Ensemble Artist Program students join the professional ensemble for this concert for a cappella chorus.
Performance: Thu, Jan 18, 7 p.m. | Vanderbilt Presbyterian, Naples
¦ February 2024
THE ENLIGHTENMENT FESTIVAL
Seraphic Fire will expand audiences’ horizons through an exploration of the music of the 18th century.
A VISIT WITH HAYDN
Patrick Dupre Quigley, conductor
A special visit to the Esterházy palace by war hero Admiral Lord Nelson and his mistress, Lady Emma Hamilton, inspired this concert of works by Haydn. Amateur soprano and scandalous socialite Lady Hamilton struck up a friendship with Haydn, and they performed together multiple times during her stay at Esterházy.
As the palace’s resident composer, Haydn provided entertainment for the diplomatic visit. This performance will enable the listener to step back in time to the Austrian palace to relive the political and social intrigue of Haydn’s time.
Week Two Performance: Thu, Feb 22, 7 p.m. | Vanderbilt Presbyterian, Naples
Featuring UCLA Ensemble Artist Program students
¦ March 2024
THE FOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL
Ruben Valenzuela, guest conductor
Seraphic Fire welcomes guest conductor Ruben Valenzuela for a concert highlighting the music of German Baroque composer Johann Schein. Rarely performed, The Fountains of Israel is an uncommon example of German sacred madrigals. Schein was known for incorporating stylistic elements of Italian Baroque into his work.
Performance: Thu, Mar 21, 7 p.m. | Vanderbilt Presbyterian, Naples
¦ April 2024
MID-CENTURY MODERN
James K. Bass, conductor
Furniture or architecture might come to mind when one hears the phrase ‘mid-century modern,’ but the creative style also impacted the music of the time. Inspired by rapid technological advancements and a post-war world, artists in the mid-20th century strove to predict and create the art of the future.
Performance: Thu, Apr 25, 7 p.m. | Vanderbilt Presbyterian, Naples
Featuring UCLA Ensemble Artist Program students ¦
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