The awe-inspiring music of Carmina Burana comes to life with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, NAU’s Shrine of the Ages Choir, Flagstaff Youth Chorale, and guest singers, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, at NAU Ardrey Memorial Auditorium.
“Carmina Burana is a choral-orchestral masterpiece, one of the most iconic works of the 20th Century, and a powerful sensory experience beyond comparison,” FSO Executive Director Christopher Barton said. “A massive work like this, performed with our partner choruses from the community is an exciting way to conclude this 65th season.”
Carmina Burana is the name given to more than 200 poems discovered from medieval times reflecting the human condition with themes of fate, love, lust, and the power of fortune. Composer Carl Orff also is remembered for his influence in the field of music education — a fitting season finale for FSO in a year that included the growing success of its Link Up music education program.
Link Up, in collaboration with the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute, brings music curriculum and a live concert experience to third through fifth graders in northern Arizona.
The first half of the program is a performance of The Accursed Hunstman by 19th Century composer Cesar Auguste Franck. Audiences will enjoy this adventure about a hunter who dares to go into the woods rather than worship on a Sunday morning. Deep among the trees, the hunter is cursed by a terrible voice condemning him to be pursued by demons for eternity.
In its 65th season, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is the largest and most active performing arts organization in northern Arizona. Artistic Director and Conductor Elizabeth Schulze, now in her seventh season, leads performances with superb musical sense and attention to excellence. The orchestra is comprised of musicians from diverse backgrounds who form an ensemble capable of performing a variety of musical styles and repertoire. The FSO mission is to enrich, engage, and inspire our community through the performance of orchestral music.
For tickets, go to flagstaffsymphony.org, or call 928.523.5661. Tickets range in price and include discounts for students, seniors, educators and the military.
ELIZABETH SCHULZE, CONDUCTOR
CHRISTINE GRAHAM, SOPRANO
RANDALL UMSTEAD, TENOR
CHAD SLOAN, BARITONE
MASTER CHORALE OF FLAGSTAFF
SHRINE OF THE AGES CHOIR
Edith Copley, director
FLAGSTAFF YOUTH CHORALE
Erica Kragness, director
FRANCK: THE ACCURSED HUNTSMAN
ORFF: CARMINA BURANA
