Fairies and Flowers

Leanna Renfro, oboe
Geoffrey Robson, conductor

Kara Claybrook, soprano
Nisheedah Golden, mezzo-soprano

Scarlet Voices (Arkansas State University Women’s Choir) – Ryan Sullivan, director
Meredith Loy and Aldrin Vendt, dancers (Ballet Arkansas) – Michael and Catherine Fothergill, directors

YOUR PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

Featuring pieces inspired by mystical creatures, blooming gardens, and the beauty of nature, Fairies & Flowers is perfect for music lovers of all ages!

Henry Purcell - Excerpts from The Fairy Queen

The Experience: graceful, magical, dreamy 

Henry Purcell composed The Fairy Queen in 1692, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. This semi-opera intertwines drama and music across its five acts, bringing to life the tales of noble figures Theseus and Hippolyta and the enchanting fairy monarchs Oberon and Titania. Experience the richness of Baroque-era music through this timeless masterpiece's intricate and enchanting melodies.

Jean Françaix - L’Horloge de Flore for Oboe and Orchestra

 The Experience: charming, radiant, carefree   

Jean Françaix, a renowned French composer, is celebrated for his contemporary neoclassical style. In 1959, he composed L'Horloge de Flore (The Flower Clock), drawing inspiration from the natural rhythms of horticulture, the art or practice of gardening. This composition showcases the oboe's versatility and virtuosity, making it a beloved staple in the solo oboe repertoire.

Felix Mendelssohn - Incidental Music from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Experience: enchanting, whimsical, serene 

German composer Mendelssohn wrote 14 movements to accompany Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, which was to be performed at the Prussian Royal Court. You may recognize the movement "Overture," often performed alone by symphonies worldwide, and the "Wedding March," which has become a popular piece played at modern wedding ceremonies.