St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble performs Friday, march 22 at 8 p.m. at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts in a program featuring baritone Kurt Ollmann, a distinguished orchestral soloist. An "Art to Heart" discussion with Howard Kissel, chief drama critic for the New York Daily News, will precede the show from 7 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.

The program begins with Introduction, Theme and Variations on "Trock'ne Blumen," composed in 1824. Translated "withered flowers," it is Franz Schubert's only work for flute and piano. Maurice Ravel's "Chansons madeacute;casses," or "songs of Madagascar," for voice, flute, piano and cello, will follow. Composed in 1926, the work is based on a trio of evocative and dramatic poems that French poet Evariste-Deacute;sireacute; de Parny claimed to have collected among the people of Madagascar. The program concludes with "Quintet for Strings in C Major," recognized as Schubert's greatest chamber composition for its rich sonorities, intensity and lyricism. Written for violin, viola and cello, the piece demonstrates Schubert's search for harmonic color and the use of "Neapolitan relationships," in which one key seems to "lean" on another key that is half a step lower.

Baritone Kurt Ollmann, a sought-after artist known for his versatility, performs in recital throughout the world, as well as in orchestral repertoire, singing such diverse works as Monteverdi's "Vespers" with Santa Fe Pro Musica and Bernstein's "Wonderful Town" in Rotterdam, Holland. The Wisconsin-born Ollmann has sung at the Vienna State Opera, the Rome Opera, Tanglewood and London's Wigmore Hall, among other venues.

St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, the artistic nucleus of the larger Orchestra of St. Luke's, was established in 1974 at the historic Church of St. Luke in the Fields in Greenwich Village. The ensemble is comprised of 21 virtuoso artists who perform nationally, abroad and in annual subscription series at Carnegie Hall and the Brooklyn Museum of Arts. The group's programming, which includes works for chamber orchestra and chamber operas, as well as premiere performances of works by leading American composers, reflects the versatility and cohesiveness that have become St. Luke's hallmarks.

The St. Luke's ensemble performs at the Quick Center one more time this season, with an all-Vivaldi program, Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets to the March 22 concert are $30, with discounts available for seniors, students and groups. For tickets or more information, call the box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396 or visit the website, www.quickcenter.com.

Posted On: 02-15-2002 09:02 AM

Volume: 34 Number: 169