The magnificent Italian cities of Rome and Florence are the inspiration for a program featuring mezzo soprano KrisAnne Weiss performing Dominick Argento's poignant song cycle Casa Guidi. Argento, who lives and teaches in Minneapolis, chose his texts from letters written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning to her sister back in England during the years when Elizabeth and her poet husband, Robert Browning, were living in Florence. Berlioz' tempestuous Roman Carnival Overture ushers in the musical celebration that closes with Respighi's Roman Festivals, a spectacular orchestral blockbuster with four movements which vividly depict religious feast days from the Roman church calendar.

William Schrickel, conductor
KrisAnne Weiss, mezzo soprano

Hector Berlioz ­ Roman Carnival Overture
Dominick Argento ­ Casa Guidi (Five Songs on letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
Ottorino Respighi ­ Roman Festivals

Hamline United Methodist Church 1514 Englewood Avenue, St. Paul