The Pasadena Master Chorale presents the world premiere of “Life of Mozart” on Jan. 8 in Pasadena. Developed, staged and directed by PMC Artistic Director Jeffrey Bernstein, the program features the composer’s unfinished Requiem interwoven with excerpts from his writings.
Jorge Mester, former music director of the Pasadena Symphony, will conduct a chamber orchestra, and stage and screen actor Dan Selon (“Angels and Demons”) will portray Mozart. Also on the program are two other works from the last year of the composer’s life: the Overture from La Clemenza di Tito, K. 621 and Ave Verum Corpus, K. 618. Guest artists include soprano Krystle Casey, mezzo-soprano Heather Henderson, tenor Arthur Rishi and baritone Abdiel Gonzalez.
“How extraordinary that one of history’s most gifted, precocious and prolific composers died while composing a Requiem,” Bernstein said in a press release. “And how intriguing that the work was commissioned under mysterious circumstances. I wanted to find a way to tell the story of this man and this work…and, in so doing, to humanize the music and make it more accessible. I think audiences love to understand a work of music in the context of its composer’s life.”
Saturday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 464 E. Walnut St., Pasadena
Tickets are $25; available on the website, from Chorale members or at the door.
For more information, call (626) 208-0009, or visit www.pasadenamasterchorale.org.