'Musically Speaking with Andrés' Concert to Feature Rare Works of Schumann With Houston Symphony Chorus, 10/1

HOUSTON (September 22, 2015) - Houston Symphony Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada and Musical Ambassador Carlos Andrés Botero will co-host "Musically Speaking with Andrés" on Thursday, October 1, featuring Schumann's The Pilgrimage of the Rose, a cantata that features solo vocalists, chorus and orchestra.

This alternative concert format held at Rice University's Stude Concert Hall includes insightful musical commentary about the life of the composer, the influences of the piece and the history of the time period to connect audiences more deeply with the music.

In addition to the musical commentary and in-depth exploration of the piece and composer, the program will feature six vocalists and the Houston Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Betsy Cook Weber, as they tell a fairytale story full of choral, ensemble and solo writing

The Pilgrimage of the Rose, inspired by Moritz Horn's poem of the same name, is an art-song-inspired oratorio about a rose who yearns to become human and experience love. The Pilgrimage of the Rose is the last of Schumann's underrated choral works. In this lesser-known but powerful piece, the rose eventually becomes human and experiences both love's pain and compassion. Schumann ends the piece with the rose rising to heaven.

The six feature solo vocalists include sopranos Yulia Van Doren and Elizabeth Toy, mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, tenor Brian Stucki and bass-baritones Michael Kelly and John Gallagher. The chorus alternatively represents fairies, townspeople and angels.

The concert will take place at Rice University's Stude Concert Hall. For tickets and information, please call(713) 224-7575 or visit www.houstonsymphony.org. All programs and artists are subject to change.

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