ON SALE NOW!
FOLLOWING TWO YEARS OF SOLD-OUT PERFORMANCES
THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND SERAPHIC FIRE PRESENT
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
PERFORMED FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR
BY MIAMI’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED
Seraphic Fire and the Firebird Chamber Orchestra
“One of the finest choirs anywhere!” – Miami Herald
December 19, 2009 at 8pm
Tickets $15 – $75
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
MIAMI, FL December 2, 2009 – For the third consecutive season, Seraphic Fire and the Firebird chamber orchestra will grace the stage of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County for a glorious holiday performance of Handel’s masterwork, Messiah on December 19, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. at the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. Tickets range from $15 to $75, and can be purchased now through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office at (305) 949-6722 or online at: www.arshtcenter.org.
Seraphic Fire and the Firebird chamber orchestra have both garnered critical acclaim for their heavenly performances and impassioned music-making. The choir’s repertoire includes classical and contemporary works, as well as sacred and secular compositions. Messiah is Handel’s most famous creation, and one of the most popular and respected works in Western choral literature. Often performed especially for the holiday season, the work is majestic in scope and resounds with spirituality.
“With the holiday season in full swing, we are thrilled to announce the return of Seraphic Fire and the Firebird chamber orchestra for a performance of Handel’s Messiah, a brilliant interpretation of music that is sure to make our spirits soar,” said M. John Richard, President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “We hope South Florida will join us, as a treasure of the Miami music scene graces our stage.”
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel describes SERAPHIC FIRE as “the smartest, most creative, consistently excellent classical music ticket in South Florida.”
Founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Patrick Dupré Quigley, the chamber choir Seraphic Fire started out as a little-known local gem specializing in Baroque and new music. The ensemble quickly rose to the top ranks of Miami’s music scene with its cutting-edge, dynamic, and historically informed performances. Global recognition came quickly when, in 2004, they were invited to record with international pop-star Shakira on a track for her album Oral Fixation II, which ultimately went Platinum. Seraphic Fire has released six recordings to date: Beginnings (2005), a mix of all a cappella works from its fourth season; Bach’s Six Motets (2006), performed with one voice on a part; a live-in-concert recording of Handel’s Messiah (2007); Amazing Grace: A Gospel and Bluegrass Journey (2008); Shalom / Pax (2008); and IKON (2009).
In 2005, Seraphic Fire commissioned a 50-minute work from then 28 year-old composer Shawn Crouch, The Road from Hiroshima: A Requiem, which was subsequently nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. In recognition of their efforts to promote the creation and premiere of new works, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awarded Seraphic Fire the ASCAP/Chorus America/Alice Parker Award for adventurous programming in 2006. Over the past three seasons, the choir has commissioned and premiered works by up-and-coming young composers including Matthew Barnson, Sydney Guillaume, and Alvaro Bermudez.
In December 2007, Seraphic Fire made its debut at the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts formerly known as the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, and in April of 2008, the choir embarked on its first U.S. tour, with concerts in New York, New Haven, and Syracuse.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awarded a grant to Seraphic Fire in September 2007 for the formation of a new professional chamber orchestra. The Firebird chamber orchestra had its debut performance in the fall of 2008. Like the choir, this new chamber orchestra brings together the most talented young musicians from across the country for creative and adventurous performances of Romantic and Contemporary music.
Artistic Director Patrick Dupré Quigley has conducted ensembles throughout North America, Europe, China, and Israel. At age 26, he became the youngest recipient ever of the 2004 Robert Shaw Fellowship, given annually by the National Endowment for the Arts and Chorus America to one conductor between the ages of 25 and 40 who demonstrates the potential for a significant professional career. In October 2006, he was one of 16 conductors from around the world invited to Stockholm, Sweden to compete in the tri-annual Eric Ericson Award. Now in its eighth season under Patrick Dupré Quigley’s direction, Seraphic Fire is nationally recognized for its excellent artistry.
SERAPHIC FIRE’s engagement is generously underwritten by Greensleeves, Inc., Bilzin, Sumberg, Baene, Price & Axelrod, LLP, Helen Marie Gordich, Ana Azcuy and Ted Gelman, Rachel and Wil Blechman, The Conroy Family, James A. Kushlan, Ann S. and William A. Lieff, Richard C. Milstein and Eric Hankin, and Dale Moses & Family.
CALENDAR LISTING
Adrienne Arsht Center and Seraphic Fire present
SERAPHIC FIRE AND THE FIREBIRD CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
“The smartest, most creative, consistently excellent classical music ticket in South Florida” – South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Seraphic Fire and the Firebird Chamber Orchestra return to the Knight Concert Hall to give their critically-lauded annual performance of Handel’s holiday masterpiece, Messiah. Each year crowds are filled with joy and emotion during this 75-minute highlight version of one of the most beloved compositions in the entire orchestral and choral repertoire. Now a Miami tradition, Messiah has been performed to sold-out audiences since its premiere in 1742, and this year will be no different!
Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 8pm
Knight Concert Hall
Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132
Tickets $15 – $75
For tickets visit www.arshtcenter.org, or call the Box Office at (305) 949-6722.
Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information for details and schedules.
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, and Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council. Education and Outreach is funded in part by The Children’s Trust. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from private contributions to the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation, Inc. through its Visionary Society membership program and its Encore Circle major gifts program; American Express Company; Arison Arts Foundation; Bank of America Charitable Foundation; City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency; Dade Community Foundation; Funding Arts Network; John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Southern Arts Federation, The Cowles Charitable Trust; The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.
About the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County:
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. Made possible by Miami-Dade County’s largest ever public/private-sector partnership, the Center plays host to three resident companies (Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy) in addition to numerous South Florida arts organizations that perform in its theaters regularly. Since opening in 2006, the Center has emerged as a leader in offering and presenting world-class programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, as a catalyst for development in Miami, and as a host of impactful community and educational programs.
Designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, the venue is comprised of the 2,400-seat Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House, the 2,200-seat John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, the black box Carnival Studio Theater, a restored Carnival Art Deco Tower, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. Studio, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. Education Center, and the outdoor Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts. Events impresario and restaurateur Barton G. Weiss brought his signature style to the Center in 2009 with PRELUDE BY BARTON G, a full-service upscale restaurant open six days a week.
Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.
Media Contacts:
Daisy Cabrera Eva Bordeaux Silverstein
786.468.2228 786.468.2323