Weekend Arts Preview: Minn. Opera and Family Weekend

It’s a busy weekend on campus with families returning to participate in 2018 Family Weekend festivities. Friday night is the second of the Gustavus Artist Series performances featuring a quartet from the Minnesota Opera. Sunday features the best opportunity of the year to hear most of the large ensembles perform whether at the Family Weekend Chapel Service on Sunday morning or the Family Weekend Showcase Concert that afternoon.

Gustavus Artist Series: An Evening with Artists from the Minnesota Opera
7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 12
Björling Recital Hall

This concert, part of the Gustavus Artist Series, is a way for students to gain exposure to world-class artists and performers. The Minnesota Opera is highly admired for their productions and programs. The quartet will be performing favorites from the operatic realm of music, including “Largo al factotum” by Gioachino Rossini, “Papageno’s Suicide” by W.A. Mozart, “Wintersturme” by Richard Wagner, and “Barcarolle” by Jacques Offenbach. Tickets cost $12 for the general public, $9 for seniors/students, and $9 for Gustavus faculty/staff. Gustavus students receive one free ticket. Tickets can be purchased at gustavustickets.com or at the door.

Family Weekend Chapel Service
10:30 a.m.
Sunday, October 14
Christ Chapel

Gustavus welcomes families of all kinds to this festive worship service centered on the gift of God’s grace and led by Gustavus students, faculty, and staff.  The service will feature music by the Adolphus Jazz Ensemble, Choir of Christ Chapel, Christ Chapel Brass, Gustavus Wind Symphony, and Lucia Singers.  

2018 Family Weekend Showcase Concert
2:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 14
Christ Chapel

The 2018 Family Weekend Showcase Concert features performances by the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir, Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, and Gustavus Jazz Ensemble. The choir will be performing audience favorites including “How Can I Keep From Singing” arranged by Z. Randall Stroope and Stephen Paulus’ “The Road Home”. The Wind Orchestra is performing some vibrant newer works, including “No Man’s Land” by Julie Giroux and “Sound and Smoke” by Viet Cuong. The Symphony Orchestra will be performing Gioachino Rossini’s famous “William Tell Overture”, and the Jazz Ensemble will be performing a mix of repertoire including a piece featuring vocalist Aleah Felton ’20 along with more modern charts like “Afternoon” by Pat Metheny.