Free performance of Faure’s 'Requiem' set for Sunday

NORWICH — The Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich will be the setting for a free concert of Faure’s "Requiem" this Sunday with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus. The symphony's music director and conductor, Toshiyuki Shimada, and chorus director, Daniel McDavitt, will conduct the program, which will begin with a work by McDavitt titled "The Prayer of St.

Francis." Following this work will be Mendelssohn’s "Hear My Prayer," a gorgeous work that will be performed by the ECSO and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus, featuring soprano Sarah Yanovitch Vitale. Closing out the evening will be Fauré’s Requiem Op.



48, a piece that will sound stunning in the Cathedral’s acoustics. It will be sung by Sarah Yanovitch Vitale and Gregory Flower, baritone. This work will unite the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus and the orchestra, as they perform together in the glorious Cathedral of St.

Patrick once more. This concert is generously sponsored by the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation. "We have a strong commitment toward enabling access to members of our community, and free concerts help realize this goal.

We are so grateful for this grant from the Lord Foundation which helps us continue to share the music with our region in exciting ways,” said Caleb Bailey, executive director of the ECSO. Donations collected at the event will benefit the ECSO and the St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich.

The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus was founded as a subsidiary of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in 1967. The ECSC comprises approximately 80 volunteer, auditioned singers of all ages. The ECSO also announced its 2024-25 lineup, curated by Shimada.

Season highlights include Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3 (Organ), Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.

3 featuring our Instrumental Competition winner, Puccini & Verdi selections with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus and international guest artists. Subscription concerts are primarily performed at the historic award-winning Garde Arts Center on State Street in New London. Visit www.

ectsymphony.com for more information and follow on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) @ectsymphony..