Providence Singers presents its first concert of the season, Requiem & Luminosity, a multidisciplinary celebration of light, on Saturday November 9, 2019.  Held at McVinney Auditorium in Providence, the one-night event features Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem and James Whitbourn’s modern Luminosity, interpreted by over 100 choral voices, orchestra, and original choreography by the State Ballet of Rhode Island.

“Fauré’s uplifting Requiem is one of the most beloved choral and orchestral works in the canon, with serenely beautiful vocal lines and stunning orchestral scoring,” says Christine Noel, Artistic Director for the Providence Singers.  “After hearing the Fauré Requiem in performance or studying the score, it’s the Lux Aeterna (eternal light) movement that stays with me; Fauré’s Requiem always leaves me with an impression of light and of hope.”

When searching for a companion piece on the program, Noel sought a work that also explored the concept of light. Scored for chorus, solo viola, percussion, organ, and Indian tampura, James Whitbourn’s Luminosity was a natural choice with the dramatic opening phrase by John the Apostle: “The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.”

The text also inspired Noel to reach out to the Rhode Island artistic community to create a multidimensional performance.  Ana Marsden Fox, executive director of the State Ballet of Rhode Island, was overjoyed when Noel asked about collaboration. “Dancers consider it a privilege to work with live musicians,” says Fox.  “Luminosity, with its exciting highs and calming lows, lends itself to a mix of exhilarating jumps and patterns with complimentary soft movements and expression.”  Luminosity will feature original choreography by Lori Broess and Mia Godbout, and be performed by State Ballet dancers Jocelyn Levesque, Brianna Mattis, Ashley Pabon and Shannon Mullaney.