French Suites
April 11, 2026 - 3 PM
Moorings Presbyterian Church
Featuring
Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers: A Lifetime of Music and Community Harmony
For over 25 years, the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers have enriched Southwest Florida with inspiring performances and vibrant community programs. The Mastersingers unite passion, excellence, and outreach to celebrate the transformative power of music for all ages. Joining us for this special concert, they will perform Gabriel Fauré’s radiant Requiem, bringing transcendent beauty and serene solace to the program.
Claude Debussy:
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun)
A luminous dreamscape woven from shimmering strings and sensual woodwinds, Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune reimagines the languid afternoon fantasy of a mythic faun. The music glows with suggestion and mystery, unfolding like sunlight through mist as melodies drift languidly between waking and dreaming. Sensual, fluid, and revolutionary, this prelude transports listeners into the heart of French impressionism.
Duration: 10'
Maurice Ravel:
Suite from Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose)
Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye Suite enchants and delights with delicate, magical colors inspired by fairy tales and childhood fantasies. Silvery textures, gentle melodies, and sparkling dances evoke enchanted gardens, sleeping princesses, and bold heroes. Each movement shimmers with wonder, inviting audiences into Ravel’s spellbinding world of imagination.
Duration: 21'
Intermission
Gabriel Fauré:
Requiem Mass, Op. 48
Unlike the stormy drama of many requiems, Fauré’s masterwork radiates gentle solace, serenity, and hope—a peaceful farewell suffused with light and compassion. Ethereal solo voices and chorus weave heartfelt prayers and angelic visions, culminating in the sublime "In Paradisum." This performance is enriched by the majestic voices of the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers, bringing transcendent beauty to this beloved choral masterpiece.
Duration: 35'
Our Community Partnership with Artis-Naples and the Naples Philharmonic
We are grateful to Artis-Naples for the Community Partnership with the Naples Philharmonic. We are fortunate to have several musicians of the Naples Philharmonic be part of the Naples Community Orchestra. This is a partnership that we value and that enhances the Community. Thank you Artis-Naples!