A Triumphant Start to the Season
Seraphic Fire launched its 23rd season last weekend with The Best of Seraphic Fire, an unforgettable retrospective that showcased the ensemble’s artistry, versatility, and impact on South Florida’s cultural landscape. The concert, led by Associate Conductor and Artistic Director Designate James K. Bass, celebrated the choir’s rich history while offering audiences a glimpse of its bright future.
In a glowing review for the South Florida Classical Review, critic Lawrence Budmen praised the program for its “varied fare and outstanding singing,” calling it a reflection of Seraphic Fire’s “indispensable role in South Florida’s cultural life.”
A Celebration of Seraphic Fire’s Legacy
Performed in the ornate sanctuary of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Miami, the program spanned centuries of choral music, from Medieval chant to contemporary works. Budmen noted that the concert served as both a “retrospective of the group’s repertoire and a preview of the changing of the guard,” as Founder Patrick Dupre Quigley prepares to transition into his new role as Artistic Director Laureate at the conclusion of the season, with Bass stepping into artistic leadership in 2026.
The evening opened with William Billings’ Invocation, the first piece ever sung by Seraphic Fire more than two decades ago. The text, “Majestic God our muse inspire, And fill us with seraphic fire,” resonated powerfully, grounding the program in the ensemble’s origin story. From there, the concert moved seamlessly through Jake Runestad’s I Will Lift Mine Eyes, Frank Ticheli’s Earth Song, and Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, each performed with the warmth, clarity, and technical precision that have become hallmarks of Seraphic Fire’s sound.
Budmen commended Bass for his “attention to dynamic variety and contrast” and described the ensemble’s performances as both “raptly beautiful” and “emotionally charged.” Pieces such as Maurice Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas and John Tavener’s Funeral Ikos brought meditative depth, while the Renaissance masterworks of Josquin des Prez and Tomás Luis de Victoria showcased the group’s remarkable blend and tonal control.
A Blend of Tradition and Innovation
True to Seraphic Fire’s spirit, the concert also highlighted the diversity of the American choral tradition. From Randall Thompson’s Alleluia to Samuel Barber’s The Coolin, the program celebrated the ensemble’s long-standing commitment to performing music that is both artistically rich and emotionally resonant. Budmen called the rendition of Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium “reverent and mellifluously soaring,” noting Bass’s “pitch-perfect leadership.”
The evening closed with a nod to Seraphic Fire’s Miami roots through the works of Latin composers. Álvaro Bermudez’s Padre Nuestro brought rhythmic vitality and warmth, while Rafael Hernández’s Cochita ended the concert on a joyful note, performed with “lilt, vigor, and just the right touch of pop style.”
As Budmen concluded, the concert was a testament to “the outstanding singing throughout the program” and confirmed that under Bass’s direction, “the group’s future is in good hands.”
Looking Ahead: Bach Motets
Following the success of The Best of Seraphic Fire, the ensemble now turns to one of Bach’s greatest achievements with our November concert, Bach Motets, conducted by Founder and Artistic Director Patrick Dupre Quigley.
From November 13 to 16, Seraphic Fire and their period orchestra will perform all six of Bach’s motets, some of the most challenging and rewarding works in the choral repertoire. These pieces are foundational to the ensemble’s identity, shaping its approach to Bach and defining its sound for more than two decades.
This will be only the third time in Seraphic Fire’s 23-year history that the complete cycle is performed. The motets are joyful, mournful, meditative, and exhilarating, blending spiritual depth with virtuosic precision. Quigley described them as “a compendium of everything that makes Bach endlessly fascinating.”
Performances will take place in Naples, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton. The Naples concert on November 13 will be dedicated to the memory of longtime Board Member Mel VanderBrug, whose generosity and leadership helped Seraphic Fire thrive and build a loyal community of supporters.
This program is a centerpiece of the season, offering audiences a powerful and uplifting encounter with Bach’s timeless music. Tickets are selling quickly after the success of the season opener. Reserve your seats at seraphicfire.org/tickets or call 305.285.9060.
