Press Release October 26, 2014
The COLLEGIUM VOCALE OF ST. LOUIS is proud to present ”Celebrate St. Louis!” a concert of sacred French music in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of St. Louis. The concert will be presented on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Basilica of St. Louis (The Old Cathedral), 209 Walnut St. St. Louis 63102.
The program highlights vocal chamber music composed and performed in the French court in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. When the city of St. Louis was founded in 1764, Louis XV was king of France. The city was named in honor of him and of St. Louis IX, the patron saint of France. Throughout France, the Feast of St. Louis was celebrated on every August 25 and, in honor of the occasion, the most celebrated composers of the day competed with one another by writing special music, including pieces we will be performing.
Included on our program are settings by Moulinié, Boismortier, and Bernier of “Domine salvum fac regem,” a special prayer for the well-being of the king that was included in every service sung at court; psalm settings by Charpentier and Campra; and a solo cantata by Rameau only discovered in 1969. The singers will be accompanied by an ensemble of period-appropriate instruments.
We are excited to be performing this program in the resplendent beauty of the newly renovated Old Cathedral, which itself holds a special place in our local history. The recent nine million dollar renovation of the Basilica of St. Louis (The Old Cathedral), on the Mississippi riverfront, included careful repairs and replacement of interior and exterior treatments with special attention to original design elements.
We look forward to having you join us to hear this special music and see the beauty of one of St. Louis’ most important landmarks, as we celebrate the 250th birthday of our fine city.
Admission to the concert is free and there is ample free parking in the church lot.
