Every arts patron enjoys a night of “firsts.” This is especially so if the debut features classical orchestral and choral performance in a concert hall setting.
If you go
Vivaldi’s “Gloria”
Where: The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $29 to $79; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
At the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, National Philharmonic music director and conductor Piotr Gajewski and chorale artistic director Stan Engebretson join forces in presenting Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” along with its choral version, “Agnus Dei” and Makris’ “Symphony for Soprano and Strings.” The concert showcases the talents of soprano Audrey Elizabeth Luna, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Wor, the orchestra and the entire chorale of 160 voices.
“This is the first presentation of the ‘Symphony for Soprano and Strings’ in the Music Center at Strathmore, as well as the first Vivaldi ‘Gloria’ and Barber ‘Agnus Dei’ for the chorus in the hall,” Engbretson said. “Anyone enjoying this concert will be taken with the joyful nature of all the works on the program.”
The concert opens with Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” composed in 1936 and considered a masterpiece of modern classical music. Filmgoers will recognize this music as having been featured in Oliver Stone’s film, “Platoon” and David Lynch’s “The “Elephant Man.” Also performed is Barber’s 1967 choral arrangement of “Agnus Dei” (Lamb of God.)
Andreas Makris’ piece, “Symphony for Soprano and Strings” is second on the program. It was originally written for the National Philharmonic and incorporates the beautiful love poems of William Shakespeare.
Vivaldi’s choral masterwork, “Gloria” triumphs as the evening’s finale.
“Antonio Vivaldi is a remarkable composer, a leading figure in the ‘Italian style’ of composition,” Engebretson continued. “The ‘Gloria’ is a somewhat free setting of the text from the Roman Catholic Mass. It is organized in many sections alternately featuring the chorus and the soloists with the orchestra and is one of the most popular choral masterworks in the repertoire due to its joyful and tuneful nature.”
Mezzo-soprano Wor, a 2002 Metropolitan Opera Competition finalist, sings the beautiful “Agnus Dei” as well as two solos in the “Gloria.”
“I enjoy singing Baroque so much,” she said. “Both vocally and interpretatively, it is a pleasure for me.”
Engebretsen contends the “Gloria” is a very accessible work for both the singer and the listener, with straightforward Italianate melodies that almost sing themselves.
“One cannot help but enjoy the dancelike character of many of the movements within this work, juxtaposed with lyric arias,” he said. “[This is] truly an evening to enjoy.”
