October 15, 2011 – 7:30 pm
Pre-concert Lecture – 7:00 pm
October 16 , 2011 –4:00 pm
Pre-concert Lecture – 3:30 pm
Lourdes Chapel at Assisi Heights

Carl Orff's brilliant and beloved Carmina Burana kicks off our 2011-12 season! The opening refrain of 'O Fortuna' is one of the most popular excerpts from any choral work thanks in large part to its use in movies, TV shows, and commercials. The texts, found in a German monastery, are an eclectic batch of entertaining and, at times, heart-rendering poems all written by monks. The music is famous for the non-stop rhythmic drive that has made it one of the most treasured musical adventures ever written.

CAE is performing the work with the Unison Piano Duo of Luther College, baritone Jacob Lassetter, also of Luther College, soprano Tracey Engleman of St. Olaf College, counter-tenor Jerry Hinks of Minneapolis and a professional percussion ensemble led by Jay Johnson. Petit Pianos, who regularly and generously supplies one of their very fine pianos for our concerts, is lending us TWO pianos for this exciting two-piano & percussion arrangement.

As a counterpoint to the earthly delights of Carmina Burana, we are also doing Leonard Bernstein's Choruses from "The Lark", a play by Jean Anouihl and adapted by Lillian Hellman which dramatizes the trials of Joan of Arc. We are so excited to have Rochester actor Leisa Luis-Grill interpreting the role of Joan of Arc. Her scenes will be interspersed with the choruses, both French chansons and Latin Mass excerpts, sung by the choir. Counter-tenor Jerry Hinks will be the featured soloist. The combination of Carmina Burana and The Lark makes this one of our most drama-filled concerts ever!

Online sales are closed for this concert.
Saturday night Preferred tickets are sold out; limited General tickets are still available.
Preferred and General tickets for Sunday's performance will be available at the door.

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Pre-concert talk sponsored by:

Concert sponsored by    

and the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation

This activity is funded by the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council through the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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