MEDIA CONTACT:
Polly Burks, 561-297-2595,
pburks@fau.edu

BOCA RATON, FL (April 3, 2005) - In celebration of Mozart’s 250th birthday, Patricia P. Fleitas, FAU director of choral and vocal studies, will conduct the Palm Beach Symphony and the Palm Beach Symphony Chorale in Mozart’s “Requiem Mass in d Minor.” The concert will take place on Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. General admission is $15, with group discounts available. FAU students, faculty, staff and alumni may obtain free admission with ID. A free lecture on the history of the “Requiem in d Minor” and its evolution will be presented by Ray Robinson, music director and general manager of the Palm Beach Symphony, on Wednesday, April 5 at noon in the FAU’s University Theatre.

The “Requiem in d minor” is considered to be one of Mozart’s greatest works and one of the greatest pieces ever written for chorus and orchestra. Mozart was commissioned to write the piece in 1791 by Count Franz von Walsegg as a memorial to Walsegg’s wife. In a twist of fate, Mozart was unable to complete the work because of his untimely death at the age of 36, leading many to say that this was Mozart’s own requiem. The composer’s wife, Constanze, commissioned several of his students to finish the work from Mozart’s notes, and scholars still debate Mozart’s intentions for the conclusion of the composition.

Robinson, the musical director for this concert, joined the Palm Beach Symphony in 2004. Prior to that, he served as professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, visiting professor of Choral Studies at the University of Miami and visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge, England. He has also done extensive research on the life and works of Mozart.

The Palm Beach Symphony Chorale is made up of 45 members including FAU choral students and alumni. Soloists for the concert are Alicia Gianni, Fenna Ograjensek, Corey Bix and Liam Moran of the Florida Opera. Special assistance for the concert will be provided by Krisztina Kover, a student assistant at FAU.

Fleitas is director of choral and vocal studies at FAU, and her ensembles have performed throughout Europe, Canada and the United States. Prior to joining the faculty at FAU, Fleitas was associate coordinator of choral programs at Texas A&M University, where she founded the Texas Collegiate Women’s Choral Festival. She has advanced degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and undergraduate degrees from Florida International University and Barry University.

For tickets, call 800-564-9539 or visit www.fauevents.com.

-FAU-