A Musical Prelude To The Celebration of Easter
Thursday, February 11, 2016
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1116 Chartres St., New Orleans, Louisiana
Presented by:The Bishop Perry Center, The Rev. William F. Maestri, Director The Cathedral – Basilica of St. Louis King of France and The Archdiocese of New OrleansIn Concert and sponsors
Starring:
Valerie Francis, Soprano, with Troy Poplous and Richard Hobson, Baritones, and Wilfred Delphin, Pianist
Directed By: Dr. Kenneth S. Klaus Gloria B. Callais Endowed Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, Nicholls State University
In a Salute to Leontyne Price
La Vergine degli’angeli (La Forza del Destino) Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Valerie Francis Priest’s ChorusTroy Poplous, Timothy Ray, Roland Bennett, Melvin Harrison, James Rodrigue, Myron Hartford, Mark Thomas,and The Sinfonia Singers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity for Men in Music, Nicholls State University.
Vissi d’arte (Tosca) Giacomo Puccini (1858~1924) Tosca begs Scarpia to save her lover’s life.Valerie Francis
Per me giunto e il di supremo (Don Carlo) VerdiPosa visits Carlo in prison to tell him that he is a marked man because he has used the secret papers to take upon himself the blame for the Flemish rebellion. Posa is shot and dying, he tells Carlo he is happy to have sacrificed his life for a man who will become Spain’s savior. Richard Hobson
O patria mia (Aida) VerdiCiel! mio padre! On the eve of Amneris’s wedding, Ramfis and Amneris enter a temple on the banks of the Nile to pray. Aida, who is waiting for Radamès, is lost in thoughts of her homeland. Amonasro suddenly appears. Invoking Aida’s sense of duty, he makes her agree to find out from Radamès which route the Egyptian army will take to invade Ethiopia. Amonasro hides as Radamès arrives and assures Aida of his love. Valerie Francis, Richard Hobson
Summertime and Bess you is my woman now (Porgy and Bess) George Gershwin (1898-1937)Clara sings a lullaby to her child…All leave except Bess and Sporting Life, who asks her again to come to New York with him and tries to give her more dope, which she refuses. Porgy chases him away and he and Bess sing about their new happiness. Valerie Francis, Troy R. Poplous
INTERMISSION
In the Beginning God Duke Ellington (1899-1974) Richard Hobson
For the Love of Jesus Roger D. Dickerson (1934-)
The Crucifixion Arranged by Ellis Marsalis (1934-)
Calvary Betty Jackson King (1928-1994)
Toccata – Ride on King JesusJohn D. Carter (1932~1981) (Cantata)