The Bozeman Symphonic Choir and soprano Janai Brugger join the Orchestra for two mainstays of the sacred choral repertoire March 25th and 26th for Poulenc’s Gloria and a Funk World Premiere. Opening the performance is Grammy-nominated composer Missy Mazzoli’s inspired piece dedicated to her father, a Vietnam War soldier followed by a world premiere written by Emmy award-winning local composer, Eric Funk.
The Montana-born composer’s Symphony No. 6 Apocalypse-Phoenix Rising mirrors the story of the mythical phoenix, a bird that renews itself from chaos. Written in 2001 as a response to the September 11th attacks, the piece is now receiving its much-anticipated world premiere.
“It’s exciting for me on a number of fronts, not the least of which is that this performance will happen at home,” says Funk. “I will be home, seated in the audience with friends, family and townsfolk from my native Montana. It’s poignant. AND this is the first work in a five-work symphonic cycle. I love that it will happen here in Bozeman, Montana.”
Also on the program is Poulenc’s Gloria, performed by soprano Janai Brugger, the recently featured artist on the February 2023 cover of Opera News. In 2012, Brugger won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and all three First Prizes at Operalia – the Opera Prize, Song Prize and Audience Prize. She has recently performed with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Dutch National Opera. Brugger’s 2022-2023 season engagements include performances with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, Los Angeles Opera, Opera Colorado, Opera Theater of St Louis, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Bozeman Symphony Orchestra.
Performances will be held in person on Saturday, March 25th at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 26th at 2:30pm, at the Willson Auditorium in Downtown Bozeman. Individual tickets are available for purchase online at www.bozemansymphony.org or by phone at (406) 585-9774. Tickets at the door based on availability. Adult tickets begin at $29 with student-discounted tickets available.
These performances would not be possible without strong community support and sponsorship. Bozeman Symphony wishes to thank Kate Hansen, Michael and Sharon Beehler, Opportunity Bank, and The Utzinger Family, In Memory of Robert Utzinger for sponsoring this performance. Bozeman Symphony also wishes to thank Season Sponsors, Stephen Schachman and Ritva Porter. •
