Press Releases
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Here’s our latest press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Lorenzo Lebrija, 305-285-9060, lorenzo at seraphicfire.org
ON SALE NOW!
KISSES OF HIS MOUTH: THE MUSIC OF ECSTACY
Seraphic Fire Presents Provocative Program Exploring The Romantic Side of Rapture
Program for women’s voices will feature world premiere ofnew work by up-and-coming local composer
January 28-31, 2010
Tickets $35
MIAMI, FL JAN 19, 2010 – Who says the sacred and the sensual don’t mix? Seraphic Fire presents a provocative program of music on Old Testament texts, January 28-31, 2010. “Kisses of His Mouth” is a musical exploration of the sensual side of spirituality. Many composers throughout history, including Hildegard of Bingham and Samuel Barber, have composed using as inspiration the romantic text of the Song of Solomon from the Hebrew Scriptures. Featured on this program alongside the works of these well-known composers is the world premiere of a new commission from local up-and-coming composer Alvaro Bermudez.
This exciting premiere represents the third commission Alvaro Bermudez has received from Seraphic Fire. Padre Nuestro and Mi Amado Para Mi garnered great praise from critics and audiences alike, and are now performed by choirs across the country. Mr. Bermudez’s latest work, Kisses of His Mouth, is written for the treble voices of Seraphic Fire, with a featured solo created with his wife in mind- mezzo-soprano, Misty Bermudez. Similar to his previous pieces, Kisses is strongly influenced by both Baroque forms and Jazz harmonies – dominant areas of interest and intensive study in the composer’s career.
(For a full bio of the composer, see below.)
“To me, my writing sounds like the work of a Romantic composer who studied Baroque structures and listened to Keith Jarrett” says Mr. Bermudez with a smile. “I often like to conform to a strict structure, while doing something far out harmonically – like a progression that outlines a diminished sixth chord. I love mixing the old and the unexpected.” The composer chose a quasi-oratorio organization for this new work, interspersing sections of choral writing with recitative-type solos.
This concert will be the first time that Seraphic Fire presents a program entirely for treble voices. With other ensembles, this might mean that only women would sing. Not so with Seraphic Fire! As longtime fans of the group will know- there will be one notable masculine presence on this program – that of Reginald Mobley, countertenor. Come be ravished by the sublime sound of angels on earth.
Tickets are $35 and available now at www.seraphicfire.org or by phone any time at 888-544-FIRE.
Venues
January 28, 2010, 7:30pm
St. Christopher’s by-the-Sea
95 Harbor Drive
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
January 29, 2010, 7:30pm
First United Methodist Church
536 Coral Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
January 30, 2010 8:00pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
333 Tarpon Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
January 31, 2010, 4:00pm
Miami Beach Community Church
1620 Drexel Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Details
Tickets are $35 and available now at www.seraphicfire.org or by phone any time at 888-544-FIRE.
About the Composer
Alvaro Bermudez has been making music professionally since the age of 15. He began playing electric guitar in his native White Plains, New York, and after relocating to Colombia he began studies in folk music. His formal music training began at the Indian River Community College under Dr. Dale Rieth where Alvaro received an Associate’s Degree with emphasis in Vocal Studies. He received a full scholarship to study music at Florida International University, completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies in 1999. He later returned to Florida International University on a Wertheim Fellowship and obtained a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies, which was completed in August of 2007.
Alvaro has been a recipient of the Treasure Coast Symphony Concerto Competition as well as the Treasure Coast Jazz Society scholarship. He is an accomplished composer and has been commissioned to write works for Seraphic Fire, Miami’s fully professional chamber ensemble, and for Irvine Valley College in California. Alvaro’s compositions have been performed by various ensembles across the nation, including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and the University of Western Michigan University Chorale. He is a highly sought after performer and instructor, and his “Trio Los Clasicos” performs frequently in the Miami area. He is currently the guitar instructor at Ronald Reagan Senior High School in Doral, Florida.
CALENDAR LISTING
SERAPHIC FIRE
KISSES OF HIS MOUTH: MUSIC OF ECSTACY
Many composers throughout history, including Hildegard of Bingham and Samuel Barber, have set the Song of Solomon from the Hebrew Scriptures, a steamy book if ever there was one. Featured on this program alongside the works of many well-known composers is the world premiere of a new commission from up-and-coming LOCAL composer Alvaro Bermudez, Kisses of His Mouth.
January 28, 2010, 7:30pm
St. Christopher’s by-the-Sea
95 Harbor Drive
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
January 29, 2010, 7:30pm
First United Methodist Church
536 Coral Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
January 30, 2010 8:00pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
333 Tarpon Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
January 31, 2010, 4:00pm
Miami Beach Community Church
1620 Drexel Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tickets $35
For tickets visit www.SeraphicFire.org, or call the (888) 544-FIRE.
Seraphic Fire’s eighth concert season is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, the support of the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council and from Funding Arts Network. Firebird Chamber Orchestra and the Knight Concert Series are generously funded by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Editor’s Note:
Related high-resolution photos are available at www.seraphicfire.org under “press.”
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About Seraphic Fire
Seraphic Fire is a national “All Star” ensemble of professional singers chosen for their exceptional talent. Seraphic Fire flies these renowned artists to Miami for intensive rehearsals followed by engaging performance tours. Founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Patrick Dupré Quigley, Seraphic Fire has garnered critical acclaim both locally and nationally.
Lauded by The Miami Herald as, “one of the best choirs anywhere,” Seraphic Fire has gained a reputation for dynamic, cutting edge performances. In an exciting crossover collaboration in 2004, Seraphic Fire was invited to record with international pop star Shakira on a track for her album Oral Fixation II, which ultimately went Platinum on the Billboard Pop Charts.
Seraphic Fire’s programming is broad, including classical and contemporary, sacred and secular choral works. This style of programming has won the organization both awards and wide-ranging praise. Over the past seven seasons, the organization has commissioned and premiered works by up-and-coming young composers. In 2005, Seraphic Fire commissioned a 50-minute work from 28-year-old composer Shawn Crouch, The Road From Hiroshima: A Requiem, which was subsequently nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
In recent years Seraphic Fire has made significant organizational and artistic strides. Recent seasons have experienced record-breaking ticket sales, with many sold-out performances. In 2007, Seraphic Fire was awarded a Knight Foundation grant for the formation of the Firebird Chamber Orchestra, which made its debut in 2008. Seraphic Fire currently performs full seasons in several South Florida venues including Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Ft. Lauderdale. In 2007 the ensemble began touring nationally. In May of 2010 Seraphic Fire is headed to Mexico for a week-long tour.
The ensemble continues to expand its touring schedule and has signed onto the roster of Herbert Barrett Management, one of the top five classical music management firms in the country. Currently, Seraphic Fire has five CDs in circulation with a sixth due out in fall 2009 and another to be released in 2010.
Both Seraphic Fire and the Firebird Chamber Orchestra present a series of programs featuring rarely-performed masterpieces and newly-written works in a patron-friendly atmosphere. Young audiences are heartily welcomed and cultivated with free rush tickets available 10 minutes before any concert. A well-established hub of pop, Latin, and hip-hop music, the continued growth of Seraphic Fire adds to Miami’s cultural appeal as a growing center for classical music.
Seraphic Fire Mission
Seraphic Fire aims to present high-quality performances of under-performed music with cultural significance. Simultaneously, Seraphic Fire encourages the occupational advancement of musicians by providing a forum for the development and presentation of their talents, and promotes community well-being through musical education programs.
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