Choral Union, Symphony Orchestra join for ‘Requiem’

In the mid-1860s, composer Johannes Brahms encountered death in two personal encounters: his close friend and mentor Robert Schumann and Brahms’ own mother. Seeking to comfort himself and others dealing with similar circumstances, Brahms composed Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45, which the Choral Union and Symphony Orchestra will present on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12.

The appearance of baritone Paul Rowe, associate professor in the School of Music, and soprano Rochelle Ellis will heighten the experience. Rowe is the artistic director and co-founder of the Madison Early Music Festival.

Ellis, a member of Rider University’s Westminster Choir College voice faculty, debuted at the New York City Opera’s 2002 production of “Porgy and Bess.”

On Dec. 11 the concert will begin at 8 p.m.; on Dec. 12 the starting time is 7:30 p.m. Both performances are in the Mosse Humanities Building’s Mills Concert Hall. Tickets, $12 general/$6 seniors and all students, are available in advance through the Wisconsin Union Theater Box Office, 262-2201. Remaining tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call the Concert Hotline, 263-9485, or visit http://www.music.wisc.edu.