Pemi Choral Society Presents Fauré’s Requiem

On May 12 and 14, the Pemi Choral Society will perform a variety of choral pieces, including Gabriel Fauré’s well-known requiem. Friday’s performance is at 7:30 p.m. in St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Franklin, and Sunday’s performance is in PSU’s Hanaway Theatre at 3 p.m.

The Pemigewasset Choral Society is a non-auditioned adult community chorus directed by Will Gunn. They have been performing at PSU for over 35 years. The chorus is made up of 75 singers from central New Hampshire.

Requiems are Catholic masses for the dead in Latin. Fauré’s Requiem is a warm and dynamic work composed in the late 19th century. It is more hopeful than most requiems. Fauré once said that it portrays death as he sees it, “as a happy deliverance, an aspiration towards happiness above, rather than as a painful experience.” The performance features other choral works, including Ian Soderberg’s “Time.” The text is by Jane Babin, a local author and former PSU professor who passed away two years ago.

During the Requiem, the chorus will be joined by members of the New Hampshire Music Festival orchestra. On Sunday, they will be joined by the Plymouth Regional High School Chamber Singers, which is also directed by Will Gunn.

The chorus has been rehearsing for this concert series since late January. The performance is in memory of loved ones, whose names are printed in the program. The memorial contributions were made by singers, musicians and members of the community.

Tickets for Sunday’s concert are $12 for adults, $7 for seniors, youth and groups, $5 for PSU students, and free for PSU faculty and staff.

For more information, visit www.pemichoral.org.