Opal Ensemble Presents "Perennial Epiphanies"

Opal Ensemble, a group of professional musicians that aims to surprise and delight audiences with performances of an array of different musical works, will present “Perennial Epiphanies” — a free chamber music concert — at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 at First Parish (7 Harrington Road) in Lexington. Demonstrating the Ensemble’s signature adventurous approach to programming, the concert will feature a variety of musical works including a contemporary piece, a classic by Debussy, and an original composition written specifically for the group.

The program for this concert — which aims to enable audiences to feel the excitement of discovering powerful, compelling music — will include contemporary Irish composer Rachel Holstead’s Dissolving Into Light, Claude Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie, Rick Applin’s Crosswinds, and Le Merle Noir by Olivier Messiaen. Trio Opalesco — written especially for Opal Ensemble by composer David Owens — will also be performed. An opulent and compelling four-movement piece, it conveys a spectrum of moods and is intermittently sensuous, grand, mysterious, romantic, and meditative. As a special treat, featured guest flutist Orlando Cela will also perform several pieces with members of the Ensemble.

This free concert is funded in part by a generous grant from the Lexington Council for the Arts (a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency). Additional funding has been provided by Leader Bank, the Lexington Chamber Music Society, local businesses, and individual donations.

Founded by Arlington residents Todd Brunel (clarinet) and Anne Black (viola) and Westford resident and pianist Paul Carlson, Opal Ensemble has a rich collective experience playing diverse music with the most prominent classical and jazz ensembles in the Boston area. The group is dedicated to performing original compositions — and neglected but deserving music — alongside famous works from the standard repertoire. For more information, visit www.opalensemble.com.