Amadeus Chamber Ensemble Presents “French Opera Jewels”

The Golden Age of French Grand Opera

at Sacred Heart Cathedral – March 3, 2024 – Free admission

The Amadeus Chamber Ensemble is delighted to announce the second concert of its 2023-2024 Season: French Opera Jewels. The program is devoted to beloved favorites and intriguing rarities representing the best of the Golden Age of 19th-century French Grand Opera. The free-admission concert will take place on Sunday, March 3,  2024, at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Cathedral Concert Series at the Cathedral of the Most  Sacred Heart of Jesus (711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN).

Brian Salesky will conduct the guest artists, orchestra, and chorus in selections from  Faust, William Tell, Hamlet, Lakme, The Tales of Hoffmann, The Pearl Fishers, The  Huguenots, and La Juive. The Ensemble’s concertmaster, Miroslav Hristov, will take the spotlight in the ever-popular Meditation from Thaïs. Taking on the very difficult vocal challenges of this thrilling music will be soprano Rochelle Bard and tenor Aaron Short (both favorites of ACE audiences), and baritone Nathan Matticks in his Knoxville debut.

Admission is free. Reservations are suggested and may be made starting two weeks prior to the concert on the Cathedral’s website: Cathedral Concert Series – The  Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (shcathedral.org).

Salesky summed up his enthusiasm for the upcoming concert: “I’ve had a passion for the French Grand Opera repertoire my entire life and have been privileged to conduct some of my favorites by Bizet, Gounod, Massenet, and Offenbach. This performance is  a wonderful opportunity for our community to experience inspiring and emotional gems from this treasure chest!”