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Media Contact:
Lauren Schiffer Leger
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In two back-to-back weeks of choral-orchestral works, the third annual Enlightenment Festival will offer performances that exemplify what Seraphic Fire does best—Bach—featuring two of the composer's greatest oratorios. Conductor Patrick Dupre Quigley shared his excitement about the Enlightenment programs: “This is the first time we have been able to devote the entire two weeks to Johann Sebastian Bach; it’s the perfect way to show off the strengths and talents of our choir, soloists, and orchestra. Almost like a birthday present for our audience, we are delighted to have one of our original members join us – countertenor Reginald Mobley. His interpretations of Bach have taken him all over the world working with the greatest Baroque ensembles and conductors. There’s no more fitting way to celebrate 20 years than by having Reginald sing Cantata 170.”
Life | Death: learn more about Week 1 of the Festival
During an age of high mortality, Johann Sebastian Bach experienced the stark and tenuous nature of life and death firsthand. As a result, Bach’s music of human existence and death is, unsurprisingly, probing and profound. Seraphic Fire sings two of Bach’s haunting cantatas on death, and Reginald Mobley is featured in the solo alto cantata Vergnügte Ruh in this musical evening of inspiration and reflection.
Beginning | End: learn more about Week 2 of the Festival
Joyous arrivals and awe-inspiring departures are featured in the closing concert of Seraphic Fire’s third annual Enlightenment Festival. Selections from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio portray an expectant mother and the Magi searching for that child. The Ascension Oratorio is particularly thrilling with spectacular opening and closing trumpets, its coloratura passages, and equally challenging chorale. Chamber orchestra and students from the UCLA Ensemble Artist Program join Seraphic Fire singers to perform two of Bach’s great works in a burst of sonic glory in this arresting program.
About Reginald Mobley
Noted for his ‘shimmering voice’ (BachTrack), GRAMMY®-nominated American countertenor Reginald Mobley is globally renowned for his interpretation of the baroque, classical and modern repertoire and leads a very prolific career on both sides of the Atlantic.
An advocate for diversity in music and its programming, Reginald became the first-ever programming consultant for the Handel & Haydn Society following several years of leading H&H in his community engaging Every Voice concerts. He also holds the position of Visiting Artist for Diversity Outreach with the Baroque ensemble Apollo’s Fire, and is a regular guest with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Washington Bach Consort, Seraphic Fire, and Agave Baroque. With the latter, Reginald recorded ‘American Originals’, a collection of Spirituals, which granted his nomination to the GRAMMY Awards in 2022.
About Patrick Dupre Quigley
Patrick Dupre Quigley, conductor, founded Seraphic Fire in 2002 in Miami, FL. For more info on Patrick, click here.
