Karen P. Thomas, Wesley Schulz, Susan Payne O’Brien, Damien Greter

QUICK TAKE

SUMMARY

“All souls…all nations…all identities…”

Walt Whitman’s lyrics are a stirring embrace of all of humanity. Combined with the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, A Sea Symphony uses the vastness and power of the sea as a backdrop for our search for meaning. Written for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, A Sea Symphony will fill you with a sense of awe and wonder in the face of a boundless universe. Auburn Symphony Orchestra is delighted to present this work in collaboration with Seattle Pro Musica and their conductor, Karen P. Thomas, and featuring Susan Payne O’Brien, soprano and Damien Geter, baritone.

ASO will perform The Boatswain’s Mate Overture by British composer Ethel Smyth, a cheerful piece which also contains Smyth’s defiant feminist spirit. The Boatswain’s Mate is a witty take on gender roles with the heroine of the story outwitting a retired boatswain who is scheming to become her suitor.

SPM will open the concert with Canticum Calamitatis Maritimae by Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi. This haunting work draws on folk song, news reporting, and the Requiem Mass to recount the ill-fated 1994 journey of the MS Estonia.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 8pm
St James Cathedral, 9th & Marion, Seattle
Single Tickets Available through Seattle Pro Musica

SOLOIST

with Seattle Pro Musica
Susan Payne O’Brien, soprano
Damien Geter, baritone

PROGRAM

Conductor Wesley Schulz Music Director
Conductor Karen P. Thomas

JAAKKO MÄNTYJÄRVI – Canticum Calamitatis Maritimae
ETHEL SMYTH – The Boatswain’s Mate Overture
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS – Symphony No. 1 (A Sea Symphony)

Concert length: approximately 2 hours including one intermission

MEET THE MUSIC

Come to the PAEC an hour early at 1:30 to hear an enlightening discussion about the music between ASO Music Director Wesley Schulz and SPM Artistic Director Karen P. Thomas. Free with your ticket.

All programming is subject to change.