Andre García-Nuthmann and Franz Vote
Las Vegas, NM – The New Mexico Bach Society Chorale and Orchestra join the Highlands University Madrigal Choir and Concert Choir for Mozart Fest 2016 April 3 at 2 p.m.
The performance in Ilfeld Auditorium is the largest classical music celebration ever performed at Highlands. Ticket prices are $8 general admission, with no charge for students with valid IDs.
Historic Ilfeld Auditorium is at 900 University Ave., Las Vegas.
“For me, these are Mozart’s greatest hits combined in one program,” said Andre García-Nuthmann, Highlands Department of Music choral program director. “Mozart was a prolific master of many styles and genres, with this concert demonstrating his prodigious genius. It will be a spellbinding roller-coaster ride of musical excitement with something for everyone.”
García-Nuthmann, who directs the university’s Madrigal Choir and Concert Choir, said the program samples Mozart’s popular opera The Magic Flute, sacred music from his Solemn Vespers and Requiem, and concerti for piano as well as flute and harp.
Franz Vote is the musical director and conductor for the New Mexico Bach Society Chorale and Orchestra. He is a renowned conductor who was previously with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and the Seattle Opera, among others.
“Mozart had a tremendous gift and spark of genius that transcends the centuries and is as thrilling, accessible, moving and transporting today as it was when he first composed it,” said Vote, who is also the musical director for the New Mexico Performing Arts Society. “This is why Mozart’s music is as popular today as it was when first composed it in the 18th century at the beginning of the classical period of music.”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived from 1756 – 1791 and composed more than 600 works.
Vote said a conductor is dependent upon the preparation, professionalism and hard work of the musical ensembles they work with to deliver a good performance for the audience.
“I was thrilled with the professionalism of Andre’s choirs when we collaborated for Bach Fest 2014 at Highlands, and I’m anticipating more of the same. He’s an accomplished conductor, pianist and vocalist,” said Vote, who has collaborated with many of the world’s most prominent operatic artists, such as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Hildegard Behrens.
García-Nuthmann will conduct the Madrigal Choir’s performance of Solemn Vespers, considered to be one of Mozart’s finest choral compositions.
Concert pianist and Highlands music faculty Linda King is the piano accompanist for the concert, and the soloist for the performance of Piano Concerto No. 21.
“The first movement of the piano concerto is classic Mozart, combining brilliance, drama and sweetness,” King said. “Movement two is familiar to many listeners because of the beauty and poetry of Mozart’s simple yet very romantic melodies. Movement three is quick, playful and exuberant, offering a dazzling conclusion to this popular Mozart concerto.”
Vote said Mozart Fest features a classical orchestra with instrumentalists from Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Texas.
The program includes three parts, with intermissions between each one.
Part I
Overture to The Magic Flute – Vote conducts all three choirs
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 – Linda King, soloist
Excerpts from The Magic Flute: No. 9, No. 10, No. 14 and No. 18 – Vote conducts the choirs
Part II
Concerto in C major for Flute and Harp, K. 299/297c – soloists Linda Marianiello, flute, and Anne Eisfeller, harp
Vesperae Solennes de Confessore K. 339 (Solemn Vespers) – Highlands Madrigal Choir, conductor García-Nuthmann, soloists Erin Gilland, mezzo soprano, Erik Jonasson, tenor, and Highlands music students Karlis de Marco, soprano and Daniel Torres, bass
Excerpts from The Magic Flute: No. 21, Act II Finale – Vote conducts the choirs
Part III
Requiem, K 626 – Vote conducts the choirs; soloists Christina Martos, soprano, García-Nuthmann, tenor and Carlos Archuleta, bass
García-Nuthmann said Mozart Fest will showcase how much musical talent there is at Highlands, in the Las Vegas community and New Mexico.
“I always challenge my Highlands students and our community Concert Choir with complex music, and they consistently perform with style and beauty,” García-Nuthmann said.
Vote said he is looking forward to conducting again in Las Vegas in Ilfeld Auditorium.
“Ilfeld has a rare quality and is one of the best auditoriums I’ve ever performed in. The stage is very roomy for the musicians, and the acoustics are good throughout the space,” Vote said.