French Night at the Symphony

Three of the finest choral ensembles in the Northwest communities will sing the Fauré Requiem in concert with the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra on March 18th at the Pickwick Theatre. Forming the massed choir will be the Niles Metropolitan Chorus, and the adult choirs of Edison Park Lutheran Church (Chicago) and the Park Ridge Community Church.

A French-inspired evening, the program includes highlights from Les Mis and the Saint-Saëns Symphony 3 in addition to the Requiem. Popularly known as the “Organ” Symphony, the Saint-Saëns showcases the Pickwick’s 1928 Wurlitzer pipe organ.

The Requiem chorus performs the Fauré with full orchestra. Marek Rachelski, Director of the Niles ensemble, will prepare the massed choir in dress rehearsals. The orchestra concert is conducted by Park Ridge Civic Orchestra Music Director Victor Muenzer. “The Fauré is sublime and transcendent” says Muenzer, who programmed the piece for a concert date that coincides with the Lenten season.

Edison Park’s Matt Haider serves as organist, and soprano Sarah Hibbard and baritone Lorenzo Formosa take solo roles in the Requiem. To add to the French theme, a selection of wines from France will be available from Winestyles of Park Ridge.

The public is invited to attend the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra concert at the historic Pickwick Theatre in Uptown Park Ridge. Reduced ticket prices for seniors, free admission for ages 18 and under, multiple restaurants nearby, and free parking are among the amenities included in the PRCO experience. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.parkridgecivicorchestra.org, or call (847) 692-7726.

Park Ridge Civic Orchestra
Concert: Wednesday, March 18, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Av., Park Ridge, IL 60068

Tickets: Seniors $20 (62+), Adults $25, Ages 18 and under Free Admission

Fauré: Requiem
Schönberg: Les Mis (highlights from)
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (“Organ Symphony”)