A Journey to Freedom
VICTOR MUENZER, CONDUCTOR
SARAH HIBBARD, Soprano - JESSYE WRIGHT, Mezzo-Soprano
PEDER REIFF, Tenor - LORENZO FORMOSA, Baritone
Park Ridge Community Church Chancel Choir, Sasha Gerritson, Director
Sunday at 2:30pm, April 28th, 2013
BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Opus 125
For the closing concert of our 19th season, the PRCO presents Beethoven's legendary perspective on Freedom – at once personal and perhaps the grandest universal artistic statement ever achieved.
For his Ninth and final symphony, Beethoven's life-long ambition to use Friedrich Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy" was finally achieved. Beethoven had wanted to set the poem, with its themes of brotherhood and freedom, to music, and the Ninth Symphony was the right mode of expression to carry these words to the world.




SARAH HIBBARD, Soprano Soloist – a winner and finalist in major vocal competitions, is a masterful musician whose voice has been described as a shimmering soprano with a resounding quality reminiscent of the golden age of singing. In Chicago, she was praised for her "charismatic acting technique."
JESSYE WRIGHT, Mezzo Soprano Soloist – performs throughout the United States and Europe in both opera and concert repertoire. A past national semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions, Miss Wright is admired for her rich, colorful voice as well as her musicianship and striking stage presence.
PEDER REIFF, Tenor Soloist – has been acclaimed for his naturally warm and clear voice, astonishing range, musicianship, and stage presence. On the opera front, Peder has been seen performing throughout the country with companies such as Chamber Opera Chicago, Chautauqua Opera Company and L'Opera Piccola.
LORENZO FORMOSA, Baritone Soloist – with his vivid and fresh lyric baritone sound and engaging stage presence, has distinguished himself nationally with companies including Santa Fe Opera, L'Opera Piccola and Lyric Opera. The Chicago Tribune wrote: "...His voice is powerful and fully alive, and he uses it with playful zest."
JOIN US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY RECEPTION AFTER THE CONCERT!
IT WILL BE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE PICKWICK BUILDING.

