A Cappella Choir to perform works of Brahms, Rossini, Ešenvalds

The SFA A Cappella Choir will present its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the A Cappella Choir performing its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The choir will perform "Zigeunerlieder" (Gypsy Songs) by Johannes Brahms, Gioacchino Rossini's Petite messe solennelle, and "A Drop in the Ocean" by Ériks Ešenvalds, according to Tim King, director of choral activities at SFA.

"To vocalists, and particularly choral singers, Brahms is a most beloved composer," King said. "He composed three monumental choral suites, 'Liebeslieder Waltzer' (Love-song waltzes), 'Neue Liebeslieder' and 'Zigeunerlieder.' When one speaks solely of the choral genre, 'Zigeunerlieder' is a masterpiece."

Late in his life, the operatic composer Rossini composed one setting of the Mass, the Petite messe solennelle.

"His setting of Cum Sancto Spiritu from the Gloria movement is truly an operatic finale … an exciting work," King said.

"A Drop in the Ocean" is a new work by young composer Ešenvalds. The piece is dedicated to the memory of Mother Teresa and takes its inspiration from The Lord's Prayer, St. Francis of Assisi, Psalm 55 and the words of Mother Teresa, according to King.

"This is an absolutely stunning work showing not only the composer's lyrical quality but also the use of vocal techniques portraying the ocean," he said.

Cole Concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.