Seraphic Fire

Seraphic Fire announces a new season and with it, a new decade

Season 10 is a milestone for Seraphic Fire. For those who have been with the organization during its maturity, “A Celebration!” will serve as a beautiful recollection. A homecoming of sorts, veterans and current singers of Seraphic Fire will converge on stage for an unforgettable performance. The repertoire will include music by the young composers Seraphic Fire has championed over the years, along with timeless classics. True to its namesake, this program is a testament to Seraphic Fire’s achievements.

Also slated for the upcoming season are several performances by the Firebird Chamber Orchestra, Seraphic Fire’s sister ensemble. Tchaikovsky: The Serenade presents masterpieces written by the brilliant trio Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, and Mozart. In Dances of the Americas: The Pulse of a New World, a barnburner performance, the works of Aaron Copeland, John Adams, and Alberto Ginastera demonstrate the deft abilities of Firebird’s string musicians.

For the first time ever, Seraphic Fire has scheduled regular performances in Boca Raton and Brickell. St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton and  St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church in Brickell will become new homes for the award winning group.

Patrons of Seraphic Fire have much to look forward to. For an organization that has seen rising audience numbers since its inception ten years ago, the future is bright. According to the Chicago Classical Review Seraphic Fire is “Stunning to behold” and the South Florida Sun Sentinel describes Seraphic Fire as “The smartest, most creative, consistently excellent classical music ticket in South Florida”. The Miami Herald calls Seraphic Fire “one of the best choirs anywhere”. A young and intelligent bootstrapping organization, born from a city better known for its biceps and bikinis than its classical music, Seraphic Fire continues to astonish critics and promises to redefine what classical music can be.

A Drama Accompanied by Renaissance Polyphony

The year is 1611.  Shakespeare premieres The Tempest at Whitehall, the King James Bible is on the printing press, and Tomás Luis de Victoria is on his deathbed.   Widely known throughout Europe as the heir to the musical throne of Palestrina and Lassus, Victoria has spent the last years of his life in the service of the dowager, Empress Maria.  Now, as he lies dying, composers from across the continent bring their greatest works to pay a final tribute to the reigning master.  As he passes on and the Requiem is intoned, Tomás is greeted on his arrival into the eternal choir by the giants who preceded him.

Featuring music from the Requiem masses and motets of Palestrina, Lassus, Ockegem, Morales, Victoria, and many others.

October 19, 2011          7:30pm          St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami

October 20, 2011          7:30pm          St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton

October 21, 2011          7:30pm          First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables

October 22, 2011          8:00pm          All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

October 23, 2011          4:00pm          Miami Beach Community Church, Miami Beach

PROGRAM II: Tchaikovsky: The Serenade (Firebird Chamber Orchestra)

When describing his now-famous Serenade for Strings, Tchaikovsky wrote to one of his good friends, “This piece is from the heart.”  An homage to his musical hero, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade features the full weight of his exquisite Romantic styling. The composer’s masterpiece inspired George Balanchine’s first ballet in the United States.   Joining Tchaikovsky on this program will be his idol Mozart, as well as another Mozartean heir – Felix Mendelssohn with his thrilling String Symphony No. 8.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky                Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48

Felix Mendelssohn String Symphony No. 8 in D Major

Wolfgang  Amadeus Mozart        Divertimento in D Major, K. 136

November 16, 2011          7:30pm        St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami

November 17, 2011          7:30pm        St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton

November 18, 2011          7:30pm        First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables

November 19, 2011          8:00pm        All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

November 20, 2011          4:00pm        Miami Beach Community Church

PROGRAM III: O Holy Night

Seraphic Fire’s ALL NEW Candlelight Carol Concert

“O, Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining!”  Adolph Adam’s timeless carol has signaled Christmas for countless listeners across the ages.  Seraphic Fire presents an all new Christmas program, with the world premiere of arrangements of O Holy Night and Silent Night by Artistic Director Patrick Dupré Quigley, as well as a combination of classic carols, gorgeous motets and Gregorian chant.  Now a South Florida holiday tradition, Seraphic Fire’s Christmas concerts always sell out.  Don’t miss it!

Adolph Adam, arr. Quigley O Holy Night

Franz Gruber, arr. Quigley               Silent Night

John Stainer The First Nowell

Tomas Luis de Victoria                      O Magnum Mysterium

December 7, 2011          7:30pm          St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami

December 8, 2011          7:30pm          St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton

December 9, 2011          7:30pm          First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables

December 10, 2011        8:00pm          Miami Beach Community Church, Miami Beach

December 11, 2011        4:00pm          All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

PROGRAM IV: A Celebration! 10 Years of Seraphic Fire

“Majestic God, our Muse inspire, and fill us with Seraphic Fire!”  These words from William Billings’ Invocation rang out to open Seraphic Fire’s first-ever concert.  Now, 10 years later, Seraphic Fire celebrates a decade of incredible music-making reuniting audiences’ favorite singers.  From Billings to Ingram Marshall’s Hymnodic Delays, this concert celebration will feature music by the young composers Seraphic Fire has championed over the years side-by-side with new and old masterpieces.  This is an evening of vocal fireworks 10 years in the making!

William Billings                              Invocation

Ingram Marshall                             Hymnodic Delays

Sydney Guillaume                         Dominus Vobiscum

Alvaro Bermudez                           Padre Nuestro

January 11, 2012          7:30pm          St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami

January 12, 2012          7:30pm          St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton

January 13, 2012          7:30pm          First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables

January 14, 2012          8:00pm          All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

January 15, 2012          4:00pm          Miami Beach Community Church

PROGRAM V: Bach: B Minor Mass (Seraphic Fire and Firebird Chamber Orchestra)

When Seraphic Fire gave its first performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s most important piece of music in 2004, the press was ecstatic: “Stirring, magnificent and deeply moving,” wrote the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Beautiful,” declared The Miami Herald. As part of Seraphic Fire’s 10th Anniversary celebration, the ensemble returns with the piece that put Seraphic Fire on the musical map.  The genius of Bach will be on full display in this tribute to what may be the single greatest piece of music ever written.

Johann Sebastian Bach                  Messe in h-Moll

February 10, 2012          7:30pm          All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

February 11, 2012          8:00pm          Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Miami

PROGRAM VI: The Tudors: A Musical Tapestry

For more than a century, the Kingdoms of England and Ireland were united under the rule of the Tudor Dynasty.  Beginning with Henry VII’s ascent to the throne after the War of the Roses, and ending with the death of Gloriana (the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I), the House of Tudor saw both tumult and glory.  Henry VIII’s break with the Catholic Church, “Bloody” Queen Mary’s return to the Roman faith of her mother, and Elizabeth’s union of England under the Anglican church were the backdrop for what may be England’s golden age of musical composition.  Seraphic Fire traces the stunning musical legacy of England’s most memorable first family with pieces from the Eton Choirbook to the masters Tallis and Byrd.

Featuring motets and anthems by Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Christopher Tye, John Sheppard, Robert Parsons and more.

March 14, 2012          7:30pm          St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami

March 15, 2012          7:30pm          St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton

March 16, 2012          7:30pm          All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

March 17, 2012          8:00pm          First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables

March 18, 2012          4:00pm          Miami Beach Community Church, Miami Beach

PROGRAM VII:  Dances of the Americas (Firebrid Chamber Orchestra)

The Pulse of a New World

Rhythm will be palpable in this high-energy performance of gripping works by Aaron Copland, John Adams and Alberto Ginastera.  Virtuosity and thrilling skill are on display in music that will get your blood pumping.  In Hoe-Down from his most popular score Rodeo, Copland captured the joyous optimism of a country square dance. One of  America’s most lauded living composers, Adams envisioned the enigmatic Shakers fanatically dancing to swirling music.  These American masters are joined by the Argentine composer’s celebrated Concerto per Corde. Don’t miss this festival of fire for strings!

Aaron Copland                                Hoe-Down from Rodeo

John Adams                                      Shaker Loops

Alberto Ginastera                          Concerto per corde Op. 33

April 18, 2012          7:30pm          St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami

April 19, 2012          7:30pm          St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton

April 20, 2012          7:30pm          First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables

April 21, 2012          8:00pm          All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

April 22, 2012          4:00pm          Miami Beach Community Church, Miami Beach

PROGRAM VIII: Treasures of the Mission Road- The Glory of Latin American Baroque

From the Jesuit missions in Peru and Bolivia to the imperial splendor of 18^th century Mexico City, the Mission Road was the main artery of the Americas. Seeing it as the future of its empire, Spain sent its greatest composers to the New World to fill the courts and cathedrals with intoxicating music  freely mixing the glories of Old World Spain with the mesmerizing folk rhythms of the New World peoples.  The joyful villancicos of New Spain, written for the pageantry surrounding the major feast days, take center stage in this rousing presentation of Latin America’s musical treasures.

Featuring music by Antonio de Salazar, Ignacio de Jerusalem, Manuel de    Zumaya, Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco, Juan de Araujo, and more.

May 9, 2012          7:30pm          St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami

May 10, 2012        7:30pm          St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton

May 11, 2012        7:30pm          First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables

May 12, 2012        8:00pm          All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale

May 13, 2012        4:00pm          Miami Beach Community Church, Miami Beach

Single tickets range from $35-50 and concert subscriptions start at $94.50.