January 30, 1996

Release No. 289 Contact: Phyllis Graber Jensen 207-786-6330 (office) 207-784-6240 (home)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bates College Orchestra to perform Purcell

LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates College Orchestra, directed by William Matthews of the music faculty, will perform a concert accompanied by dancers and chamber singers on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in the Olin Arts Concert Hall. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

The orchestra will play excerpts from "The Faerie Queen," Henry Purcell's 1692 'semi-opera' based on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The work features dancing for four couples in the Renaissance style, choreographed by Marcy Plavin of the theater department, and solo, ensemble and choral singing by the Bates Chamber Singers, directed by Marion Anderson of the music department. A special guest will be bass soloist Daniel Ludden '86.

"Henry Purcell is generally acknowledged to be the greatest English composer," Matthews said. "He died in 1695 at the age of 36. This concert commemorates the 300th anniversary of his death."

For additional information, contact the Olin Arts Center at 786-6135.

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