Music Director of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Julien Benichou, a native of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France has chosen a program of music entitled, “A French Celebration.” From the peasant songs of the Auvergne, to the modern era of Debussy, it concludes with the electrifying symphony of Cesar Franck who made Paris his home. This concert and a special dinner afterwards begins the celebration of Julien’s 10th year with the MSO.
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” Claude Debussy’s most famous work is considered to be a turning point––the beginning of modern music, and provided the basis for a Ballet choreographed for Nijinsky for Ballet Russe.
The songs Janice Chandler Eteme will sing includes the spell-binding song of a shepherdess, “Bailero” and “Trois bourrées” from a collection of peasant songs arranged by Joseph Marie Canteloube. They were sung in the early language of the region, Occitane. What is most impressive about the “Chants D’Auvergne” is the luxurious beauty of the melodies and the composer’s stunningly evocative orchestrations.
Janice is one of the world’s foremost lyric sopranos who appears as soloist under leading conductors here and abroad. She is a graduate of Oakwood College and Indiana University where she received a Master of Music degree. Her repertoire embraces a number of composers from Mozart and Mahler to Gershwin, Ellington, Gorecki and Barber.
The program concludes with César Franck’s Symphony in D minor of 1888 symphony. In mid-life Franck devoted himself to teaching and influenced an entire generation of French composers. His students persuaded him to write this–his only symphony, in the last decade of his life.
The concert venue is Easton Church of God 1009 N. Washington Street, Easton, Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 PM
Tickets are $38 for adults, and admission is free for age 18 and under. They are available at Crackerjacks Toy Store for check or cash, at the door or by calling 1-888-846-8600 or 410-289-3440 and online at www.midatlanticsymphony.org
The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the Van Strum Foundation, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, M&T Bank, Choptank Electric, and other generous donations from individuals, organizations and corporations.
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