SFA faculty to present 'Opera-Inspired Works for Flute and Piano'

Pianist Geneva Fung and flutist Christina Guenther, both of the SFA School of Music, will present a recital of opera-inspired works at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Stephen F. Austin State University music faculty members Drs. Christina Guenther (flute) and Geneva Fung (piano) will present "Opera-Inspired Works for Flute and Piano" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in Cole Concert Hall as part of the SFA School of Music's Cole Performing Arts Series.

"From 'Der Freischuetz,' Carl Maria von Weber's most well-known opera, we will perform Paul Taffanel's 'Fantasie,' a highly virtuosic showpiece based on the themes from the opera," said Guenther.

The program also features Friedrich Kulhau's piece for flute and piano that was inspired by Weber's lesser-known opera, "Euryanthe."

From Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Orpheus and Eurydice," Guenther and Fung will perform the "Minuet and Dance of the Blessed Spirits" from the scene in which the spirits reunite the lovers.

The duo will close the program with Francois Borne's "Carmen Fantasie from the Opera by Georges Bizet."

"Arguably a favorite of all flutists, this work features many themes from the opera, including overture-like foreboding foreshadowing, the seductive 'Habanera,' the 'Chanson de Bohème,' and the Toreador March," Guenther said.

A member of the SFA faculty since 2005, Guenther performs actively in the greater East Texas area, throughout the United States, and has also performed in Central and South America. Guenther is a founding member of the Gemini Flute Duo and has played with the Tallahassee (Fla.), Shreveport (La.), Longview, and Marshall Symphony Orchestras. In 2007, she performed Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto with SFA's Orchestra of the Pines.

Fung, a native of Hong Kong, has appeared as an active soloist, chamber musician and accompanist in Hong Kong and the United States. In frequent demand as a collaborative pianist, she has performed in numerous vocal and instrumental recitals and master classes. At SFA, Fung serves as accompanist for the Choral Union, opera productions, student recitals, competitions, auditions and master classes.

The recital is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.