Mozart's Requiem to be performed at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph

Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will perform Mozart’s “Requiem” at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph on November 1 in memory of those who have lost their lives to COVID-19

Featured performers include the Cathedral Schola Cantorum and Soloists Louise Fauteux, Agnes Vojtko, Oswaldo Iraheta and Steve Fredericks

HARTFORD - The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem” at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut, on Monday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. One of the greatest requiem masses ever written, the free performance will be held in memory of the millions of people worldwide who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

Featured performers will include the Cathedral Schola Cantorum, Soprano Louise Fauteux, Alto Agnes Vojtko, Tenor Oswaldo Iraheta, and Bass Steve Fredericks.

“It is an honor to collaborate with the esteemed Cathedral Schola Cantorum and our talented sololists 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 everyone who attends will be moved by this performance.”

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

Hungarian Alto Agnes Vojtko is frequently engaged as a concert soloist. Recent appearances include Handel’s “Messiah”, Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” and “Christmas Oratorio” with American Bach Soloists, and concerts with Houston Baroque and Mozart’s “Requiem” with the Manchester Chorale. Ms. Vojtko has appeared with Austin Lyric Opera, Opera in the Heights, and in Hungary with Ars Classica Chamber Opera and Budapest Chamber Opera. She has earned recognition at some of the most prestigious vocal competitions. Ms. Vojtko sings with the Schola Cantorum at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford.

Salvadoran-American Tenor Oswaldo Iraheta has sung in several opera premieres, including Domingo in “El Mozote” with Ópera de El Salvador, the Prince in “The Magic Mirror” at the New York International Fringe Festival, and the Shepherd in “Shulamit” in New York City. Other memorable roles include Alfredo (“La Traviata”), Rodolfo (“La Bohème”), Remendado (“Carmen”), Aeneas (“Dido and Aeneas”), Alfred (“Die Fledermaus”), and Don Ottavio (“Don Giovanni”). Iraheta has performed with many leading opera companies, including Connecticut Lyric Opera, the Zêzere Arts Festival, St. Petersburg Opera, Aspen Music Festival, Assisi Music Festival, Ópera de El Salvador, Opera Circle of Cleveland, Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, Trentino Lirica Opera, Knoxville Opera, New Sussex Opera, and the Royal Opera House Muscat. He recently performed as a soloist with the Ensemble Bella Luce in the West Side Concert Series 2021-2022 season inaugural concert.

Bass Steve Fredericks has made his mark with some of opera's most celebrated roles, appearing with many leading American companies including The Dallas Opera as Antonio in “The Tempest”, The Cincinnati Opera as Timur in “Turandot” and The Baltimore Opera as Reinmar in “Tannhäuser”. He has also performed concert works such as “The Messiah” at Carnegie Hall and Verdi's “Requiem” with The Hudson Opera Theatre. His performances with Connecticut Lyric Opera include Colline in “La Boheme”, The Dutchman in “Der Fliegende Holländer”, the Commendatore in “Don Giovanni”, King Marke in “Tristan und Isolde”, and Filippo in “Don Carlo” (also Fulham Opera in London).

The Cathedral Schola Cantorum was founded in 1999 by Archdiocesan Music Director and Organist, Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez, and is composed of professional singers. The choir maintains a very high standard of musical excellence; many of the choristers are accomplished vocal soloists and music educators. Choirmaster, Ms. Meredith Neumann, leads this well respected choir. 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, as well as newly commissioned works. The Cathedral Schola Cantorum performs frequently with the Solo Dei Gloria Orchestra, founded jointly by Dr. Menéndez and Dr. Bolkovac and featuring some of the area’s finest orchestral players. The Cathedral Schola Cantorum provides music for the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Liturgy and for numerous Archdiocesan events, many of which are broadcast by EWTN, WCCT, and ORTV/WJMJ Catholic Radio Station. In addition to its liturgical function, the Cathedral Schola Cantorum plays an active role in the concert life of the Hartford area, having appeared in concert with the New Haven and Hartford Symphony Orchestras.

Mozart’s “Requiem” will be performed on Monday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, 140 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. There is no cost to attend, but free-will offerings will be gratefully accepted. Ample, secure parking is available via the Asylum Street entrance to the Cathedral from 809 Asylum Avenue.

For more information, visit www.thevirtuosi.org and www.hartfordcathedral.org.