A Retrospective Worth Experiencing
This weekend, Seraphic Fire opens its 23rd season with a program unlike any other: The Best of Seraphic Fire. Over the course of more than two decades, Florida’s only GRAMMY-nominated professional vocal ensemble has established an international reputation for innovative programming and unparalleled artistry. This concert brings together the music that defined Seraphic Fire’s journey, offering audiences a rare opportunity to hear the repertoire that shaped our identity and made us one of the most respected choirs in the nation.
Founder and Artistic Director Patrick Dupre Quigley explained the inspiration for this program: “Now that we’ve been around for almost 23 years, there’s a whole generation of audience members who didn’t experience the music that originally made us who we are. When you hear Seraphic Fire perform, you don’t say it ‘sounds’ like Seraphic Fire, you say that the ‘music’ sounds like Seraphic Fire. This season opener gives us a chance to show off the breadth of what we do, in some of the most stunning repertoire across our history.”
From early chant to modern masterworks, the program spans centuries. Audiences will experience music spanning from the 9th century to the present, a reminder that Seraphic Fire continues to honor tradition while also championing new works.
Highlights of the Program
The evening begins with Invocation by William Billings, an early American composer whose music inspired the very name of Seraphic Fire. The text, “Majestic God, our muse inspire and fill us with Seraphic Fire,” resonates as strongly today as it did at the ensemble’s founding.
Next comes Jake Runestad’s moving I will lift mine eyes, a contemporary American piece that has become a favorite in Seraphic Fire’s repertoire. Quigley described the pairing of Billings and Runestad as a way to illustrate the ensemble’s range: within the first minutes, audiences will hear two American composers separated by 250 years, yet united by artistry and devotion.
Other highlights include Frank Ticheli’s beloved Earth Song, Alvaro Bermudez’s Padre Nuestro, and Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, each performed with the clarity and emotional depth that Seraphic Fire is known for. The program also reaches back into the Renaissance with Tomas Luis de Victoria’s Salva Regina, an exquisite eight-voice setting that showcases the ensemble’s precision and expressive power.
Quigley noted two personal favorites on the program. Samuel Barber’s The Coolin', a tender love song from Seraphic Fire’s Reincarnations recording, captures an intimate, poetic moment with gentle beauty. He also cited Victoria’s Salva Regina as an enduring treasure, music that feels timeless and profoundly moving.
Patrons will also hear chant from Hildegard von Bingen, a set of spirituals, and several audience-choice favorites, including Randall Thompson’s Alleluia, Maurice Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas, and Allegri’s Miserere. The blend of historic and modern works is a hallmark of Seraphic Fire’s programming, always inviting audiences to experience music that is both familiar and fresh.
The Seraphic Fire Sound
At its core, Seraphic Fire is an a cappella ensemble. That tradition continues in The Best of Seraphic Fire. With no instruments or microphones, 13 highly trained voices fill the sanctuary with sound that is both intimate and powerful. For more than two decades, audiences have described the experience as mesmerizing, a reminder of the transcendent beauty that only the human voice can offer.
This retrospective program is a celebration of Seraphic Fire’s past and present. It reflects the ensemble’s commitment to authentic performance and its role as one of the leading interpreters of choral music in the United States. As Quigley shared, “After 23 years, there was a lot to choose from, but these pieces stood out as the ones that sound as good as they possibly can. They are moving, beautiful, and at the very heart of what makes Seraphic Fire unique.”
Concert Schedule
Audiences across South Florida can share in this season-opening celebration:
- Thursday, October 9, 7:30 pm | St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Miami
- Friday, October 10, 7:30 pm | St. Philip’s Episcopal, Coral Gables
- Saturday, October 11, 7:30 pm | All Saints Episcopal, Ft. Lauderdale
- Sunday, October 12, 4:00 pm | St. Gregory’s Episcopal, Boca Raton
Each venue offers its own character and acoustic beauty, from the grandeur of St. Sophia in Miami to the intimacy of St. Philip’s in Coral Gables, the vibrant resonance of All Saints in Ft. Lauderdale, and the clarity of St. Gregory’s in Boca Raton. Together, they provide the perfect setting for Seraphic Fire’s signature sound.
Secure Your Seats Today
“The Best of Seraphic Fire” is more than a concert. It is a celebration of 23 years of extraordinary music-making and a rare chance to revisit the repertoire that built our international reputation. Tickets are selling quickly for all performances, and many sections are expected to fill. Season subscriptions remain the best value, offering priority seating and access to every unforgettable program throughout the year.
Do not miss the opportunity to experience America’s all-star choir live in South Florida this weekend. Reserve your seats now at seraphicfire.org/tickets or call 305.285.9060.
