|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Melissa Bunker (313) 886-9074
Rackham Symphony Choir presents VOICES OF LIGHT
DETROIT, MI, January 11, 2006… Rackham
Symphony Choir presents a 15th century historical figure, Joan of Arc,
through a 21st century multi-media event – a rare combination of classic
cinema and live music – at the Redford Theatre on March 26, 2006. Voices
of Light, by Richard Einhorn, is a contemporary oratorio – a choral and
orchestral concert – performed live with the simultaneous screening of the
rarely seen 1928 silent film masterpiece La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc (“The
Passion of Joan of Arc”) by Carl Dreyer. The Metro Times said of the
combination, “Dreyer belatedly joined by a worthy collaborator and, seen
live, should be quite literally a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Under the direction of Rackham Symphony Choir’s Artistic and Musical
Director, Suzanne Mallare Acton, the performance by a 70-member choir, 8
soloists and a 30-piece orchestra takes place at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday,
March 26 at the historic Redford Theatre. It is located at 17360 Lahser,
Detroit, MI 48219. Tickets for reserved seating are $18-$45 and are
available at the Redford Theatre, through TicketsPlus 800.585.3737 and at
all Meijer store TicketsPlus outlets. Group discounts are available
through Rackham Symphony Choir by calling (313) 272-0334 or via the
website at www.rackhamchoir.org.
Featured soloists include Susan Lowrie, Alexa Lokensgard, Ann Marie
MacFarlane and Leah Dexter as the voice of Joan, soprano Jennifer Larson
and mezzo-soprano Monica Swartout-Bebow, joined by tenor David Fischer and
baritone Stephen Lusmann.
Composer Richard Einhorn calls Voices of Light “a celebration of female
spirituality and heroism.” The film brings to life the trial and end of
life of Joan and the oratorio brings a voice to Joan. Joan of Arc, born in
1412, was an illiterate young woman who led an army, was burned at the
stake, and long after her untimely death, was canonized a saint. She was
guided by divine voices –a core element in Einhorn’s piece. The
performance is presented in March to celebrate Women’s History Month.
Einhorn’s score is built around a series of texts by women writers of the
Middle Ages. The composer brings to it a combination of historical
research in medieval chant and his keen appreciation of musical
minimalism. The libretto is a montage of ancient writings, which vary in
language, from Latin to Ancient and Middle French. The film is presented
with English subtitles.
The film, La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc has its own mysterious and miraculous
history. Months after it premiered in 1928, the negative was destroyed in
a fire. Dreyer painstakingly assembled a second version only for it too to
be lost to fire. In 1981 a copy of the original version of the film was
discovered in a closet in an asylum in Norway and the film was restored in
1985. The film is cited as one of the top ten films of all time as it
revolutionized modern filmmaking and influenced many contemporary
filmmakers.
More information on Voices of Light and the Rackham Symphony Choir is
available at www.rackhamchoir.org. Since its founding in 1949,the choir
has entertained concertgoers by creating artistic experiences through
sight and sound. Detroit’s oldest and largest choral organization,
Rackham’s focus is to enhance the cultural richness of the community
through the performance of traditional and modern choral works with visual
and orchestral accompaniment.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Melissa Bunker (313) 886-9074
Everyone’s Favorite Tenor Returns for
Rackham Symphony Choir’s
An Affair To Remember
Detroit, MI, Jan
11, 2006… On the heels of their highly acclaimed Too Hot To Handel,
Rackham Symphony Choir announces, “An Affair To Remember“, an evening of
dining, serenade and silent auction on Saturday, February 11 at the MSU
Management Center in Troy.
The event is the choir’s sole fundraising event to raise funds for
programming and educational activities for the 57 year-old group. Last
year the event raised over $10,000.
This year the event features tenor Rodrick Dixon as emcee and musical
guest. Dixon appeared with RSC in December’s Too Hot To Handel at the
Detroit Opera House and in the jazz gospel on January 14 and 15 when the
choir traveled to Chicago to perform it. Dixon is accompanied by Detroit
pianist Alvin Waddles who wows crowds each year when he is featured in Too
Hot To Handel with the choir.
Doors open at 6:30 pm with a cash bar and silent auction. Dinner and
serenade follows at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $60.00 for dinner and silent
auction. Other ticket levels entitle one to additional benefits including
seating with Mr. Dixon.
The MSU Management Center is located at 811 W. Square Lake Road in Troy.
Call 586-808-2211 for reservations.
Musical selections for the evening also include the Rackham Ensemble with
A Big Band Bash- Songs of the 1940’s.
The silent auction features have-to-haves for everyone including many
items for arts lovers including art lessons, tickets and backstage tours.
Tickets and tours are for the 2006 performance by the Michigan Opera
Theatre of the opera Aida by Verdi and performances by the choir conducted
by Suzanne Mallare Acton including the multi media presentation Voices of
Light in March of 2006 and next season’s Too Hot to Handel.
For the sports enthusiast there is an evening in a Pistons suite, and a
signed Muhammad Ali print. Luxury items include cosmetic and spa services
for men and women, as well as hand-made pottery, jewelry and one-of-a kind
home accessories. For history buffs, there are architectural tours for
bid.
For more information on the choir visit
www.rackhamchoir.org.
### |
