From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2, Column 279, A Preview: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Requiem" (The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra)

By James V. Ruocco

The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will perform Mozart's celebrated "Requiem" (in D minor K 626) at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph on November 1 at 7 p.m.
Described as an emotionally stirring masterpiece and written at a time when Mozart's health was deteriorating, this 18th century commissioned swan song remains of the most famous choral works in the classical music repertorie.

"It is an honor to collaborate with the esteemed Cathedral Schola Cantorum and out talented soloists Louise Fauteux, Agnes Vojtko, Oswaldo Iraheta and Steve Fredericks to present this performance of Mozart's 'Requiem' in tribute to those who have lost their lives to COVID-19," said Adrian Sylveen, Artistic Director of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. "Together, in voice and music, we will heal and celebrate life.
"We hope that everyone who attends will be moved by this performance."

Unfinished at the time of his death on December 5, 1781, "Requiem," orchestrated in Mozart's hands with detailed drafts, papers and bars of specific moments, was completed the following year by composer Franz Xaver Sussmayr who later claimed that certain sections of the piece were actually his own and not Mozart's.
Presented in eight different parts by Sussmayr -  none of them are present in any of Mozart's fragmented manuscripts - "Requiem" begins with the "Introitus." It is followed by the seven remaining sections - "Kyrie," "Sequentia," "Offertorium," "Sanctus," "Benedictus," "Angus Dei" and "Communio."

Scored for several instruments including trombones, bassoons, basset horns, violins and timpani drums, "Requiem" features parts for soprano, contralto, tenor and bass soloists and a four-part chorus

 

Controversy aside, the constant rhythmic energy of the famously unfinished or mysteriously completed "Requiem" or "The Mass for the Dead," as it is sometimes called, remains its selling point. The beauty of this dark and powerful work - and probably one of main reasons why the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber orchestra - chose to showcase it - comes from its anger, its pathos, its quietness, its melodrama and its sublime uplifting energy.

Highlights include "Recordare," "Rex Tremedae," "Confutatis," "Lacrimosa," "Benedictus" and "Agnes Dei."

The Artists for "Requiem"

Soprano Louise Fateux enjoys a diversified career in the arts devoted to education and performance, including solo roles in "Peer Gynt" with the New York Philharmonic and actor John de Lancie and a tour of Venice with the DiCapo Opera and the Fairfield Chorale. Some of her favorite operatic roles include Pamia in "The Magic Flute," Belinda in "Dido and Aeneas", Gretel in "Hansel and Gretel," "Violetta in "La Traviata" and Lucy in "The Telephone." 
Locally, Ms. Fateux has performed with the New Haven Chorale, the Litchfield County Choral Union, the Farmington Valley Chorale, the Con Brio Choral Society, the Connecticut Master Chorale and the Connecticut Chamber Chorus and Alchemy. She is also a resident artist for the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford and a music instructor at the A.I. Prince Technical High School. 

Hungarian alto Agnes Vojtko is frequently commissioned as a concert soloist. Her recent appearances include Handel's "Messiah," Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," the "Christmas Oratorio" with the American Bach soloists and "Requiem" with the Manchester Chorale. Other credits include appearances with the Austin Lyric Opera and Opera in the Heights and concerts staged in Hungary with the Ars Classica Chamber Opera and the Budapest Chamber Opera. Presently, she sings with the Schola Cantorum at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

Salvadoran-American tenor Oswaldo Iraheta has sung in many opera premieres including Domingo in "El Mozote" with Opera de El Salvador, the Prince in "The Magic Mirror" at the New York International Fringe Festival and the Shepherd in NYC's "Shulamit." Other roles he has performed include Alfredo in "La Traviata," "Rodolfo in "La Boheme," "Remendado in "Carmen," "Alfred in "Die Fledermaus," "Don Ottavio in "Don Giovanni" and Aeneas in "Dido and Aeneas."
Ihaheta's other credits include work with St. Petersburg Opera, Connecticut Lyric Opera, the Aspen Music Festival, the Zezere Arts Festival, the Assisi Music Festival, the Opera Circle of Cleveland, the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, the Trentino Lirica Opera, the Knoxville Opera, the New Sussex Opera and the Royal Opera House Muscat.

Bass Steve Fredericks has performed throughout the United States with several major American opera companies. His credits include Antonio in "The Tempest" for the Dallas Opera, Timur in "Turandot" for the Cincinnati Opera and Reinmar in "Tannhauser" for the Baltimore Opera. Other credits include "The Messiah" at Carnegie Hall and Verdi's "Requiem" for the Hudson Opera Theatre.

For Connecticut Lyric Opera, he has sung the roles of Colline in "La Boheme," the Dutchman in "Der Fliegende Hollander, the Commendatore in "Don Giovanni," "King Marke in "Tristan und Isolde" and Filippo in "Don Carlo."

About Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra

The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra is the state's premier professional chamber orchestra. It is dedicated to presenting both traditional and contemporary classical chamber works to the public. The Orchestra, led by Founder and Artistic Director Adrian Sylveen, continues to grow and prosper in size and repertoire, presenting approximately 35 concerts a year throughout major performing arts centers in Connecticut and New York. To date, the organization consists of 27 musicians and an administrative staff of four.

The mission of the Orchestra is to preserve and perpetuate the great traditions of orchestral music through the expansion of its public performance season and its education series, showcasing exceptional regional and international talent. In its choice of programming, special attention is given to music from Eastern Europe.

The Orchestra itself collaborates on many projects with the New Britain Chorale, Central Connecticut State University, the Middletown Concert Association and New York's Chopin Foundation. The Orchestra also co-produces fully-staged operatic productions with Connecticut Lyric Opera. A frequent guest at the Kosciusko Foundation's Chamber Series, the Orchestra was invited  to perform at a 2003 Gala Concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of John Paul II's papacy.

The Cathedral Schola Cantorum

Founded in 1999 by Archdiocesan Music Director and organist Dr. Ezequiel Melendez, the Cathedral Schola Cantorum is composed of professional singers (many of the choristers are accomplished vocal soloists and music educators) who maintain a very high standard of musical excellence under the direction of Choirmaster, Ms. Meredith Neumann.
The choir's repertoire encompasses the full range of Roman Catholic music, including plainchant, a cappella motets from the 16th through 20th centuries, music for chorus and orchestra and newly commissioned works.
The Cathedral Schola Cantorum performs frequently with the Solo Dei Gloria Orchestra, founded by Dr. Melendez and Dr., Bolkovac and features some of the state's finest orchestral musicians. It also provides music for the 11 a.m. Sunday Liturgy and other Archdiocesan events, many of which are broadcast by EWTN, WCCT and the Catholic Radio Station. In addition to its liturgical function, the Cantorum plays an active role in the concert life of the Hartford area and has performed with both the Hartford and New Haven Symphony Orchestra.

Mozart’s “Requiem” will be performed at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph (140 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT) 7 p.m. November 1, 2021.

There is no cost to attend, but free-will offerings will be gratefully accepted.

Secure parking is available for patrons via the Asylum Street entrance to the Cathedral from 809 Asylum Avenue. For additional information, visit www.thevirtuosi.org or www.hartfordcathedral.org