Three BGSU choruses will perform with Toledo Symphony Orchestra

Members of the University Choral Society, University Women's Chorus and University Men's Chorus will be among the 250 singers who will perform

Three Bowling Green State University choruses will perform with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra during two performances, including Bowling Green Night at the Toledo Symphony on Feb. 15.

Members of the University Choral Society, University Women's Chorus and University Men's Chorus will be among the 250 singers who will perform. Dr. Mark Munson, director of the College of Musical Arts' choral activities; Dr. Richard Schnipke, Men's Chorus director; and Dr. Emily Pence Brown, Women's Chorus director, will lead the choral groups for the performance of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana."

BGSU is also represented in the symphony by four music faculty members and several university alumni who are musicians. Faculty members include Kevin Schempf, clarinet and bass clarinet; David Saltzman, tuba; Dr. Brittany Lasch, trombone, and Robert Satterlee, piano. Alumni who perform with the symphony include Patricia Budner, Vasile Chintoan, Maria Bessmeltseva and Virgil Lupu, all first violin.

"This is an epic masterpiece that is a sonic and visual spectacular," says Alain Trudel, music director of the Toledo Symphony. "Carl Orff, the composer of the piece, originally intended this work to be staged with a choral tour de force and dancers, so we saw the opportunity to bring together our friends and community partners to create amazing live art for the community by the community."

"It's a sensational work that looks at what happens when one abandons spirituality and seeks gratification through earthly temptations, like love, gluttony, and greed," continues Trudel. "We've taken an artful approach to the storytelling. The colors and richness of this show is out of this world. It's a feast for the senses."

Featured soloists include soprano Holly Flack, tenor Christopher Pfund, and baritone Andrew Garland. Dancers from Toledo Ballet will be performing new choreography by Toledo Ballet Resident Choreographer Michael Lang.

Two performances of Carmina Burana will take place on Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 at 8 p.m. at the Toledo Museum of Art's Peristyle Theater. Tickets can be purchased online at toledosymphony.com, by calling 419-246-8000, or by stopping by the box office at 1838 Parkwood Avenue. Discounted tickets for the BGSU Night at the Toledo Symphony (Feb. 15) are available only by calling the symphony box office.