Mid-Season Masterworks

The Virginia Consort’s 35th season continues with a Mid-Season Masterworks concert on March 9 at 3:30 p.m. at Old Cabell Hall. Under the direction of Deke Polifka, the concert features two famous French pieces for choir and orchestra: Francis Poulenc’s Gloria (sung by The Virginia Consort Festival Chorus with full orchestra and soprano soloist) and Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane, (performed by The Festival Chorus, Youth Chorale, and orchestra).

Poulenc’s six-movement Gloria (1959) uses traditional Latin texts from the Mass and finds the French composer in a playful mood. Poulenc said of his own work, “I had in mind those frescoes by Gozzoli where the angels are sticking out their tongues, and also those Benedictine monks I spotted one day playing soccer.” It was premiered in Boston in 1961 and has become the most performed French piece after Ravel’s Bolero. Despite being joyful, raucous, and even cheeky, the work is sincere and beautiful, showcasing Poulenc’s rhythmic inventiveness and lush harmonic style. The choir and orchestra will be joined by soprano soloist Angeli Ferrette, who appeared with the Consort two seasons ago as the soloist for Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass.

Fauré’s Pavane is one of the composer’s few works for orchestra and choir. The title pays homage to an ancient court dance and the recognizable melodies are gentle and elegant. It is perhaps Fauré’s most celebrated work, apart from his Requiem.

Angeli Ferrette has performed across the US and abroad, appearing in concert, oratorio, and opera. She has performed with various musical institutions and organizations including The Washington National Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, Afro-House Productions, The Heritage Signature Chorale, the National Cathedral, Alexandria Choral Society, the City Choir of Washington, Washington Masters Chorale, Vocal Arts Society, Aria Club, Virginia Consort, Post Classical Ensemble, Londontowne Symphony, Montgomery Symphony, and others. Over the years, she has received several awards and honors including a Grammy for participating in the 2019-2020 production of the Metropolitan Opera’s Porgy and Bess. She was awarded second place in the 2022 Black Brilliance Competition. Additional awards include the National Association of Negro Musicians Award of Artistic Excellence, the Life Time Member Award by the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, finalist in the Rochester Oratorio Society Competition, Harlem Opera Theatre Competition, the National Association of Negro Musicians Competition, and a semi-finalist in the Classical Singer Competition. Ms. Ferrette holds degrees and certificates from the University of Northern Iowa, The Peabody Conservatory, and Trinity Washington University. Angeli resides in the Washington, DC area with her husband, their daughter, and pets. For more information, please visit https://angelisings.com.

Parking for Old Cabell Hall

Old Cabell Hall is located at the south end of the historic Lawn, directly opposite the Rotunda.

Parking is available at several locations both on and off "grounds". Below are a few of the parking options:

Central Grounds Garage

The Central Grounds Garage is located on 400 Emmet Street under the University Bookstore. It is open to everyone; parking fees may apply (free on Sunday).

From the north: Follow 29 South through Charlottesville. As you pass Barracks Road Shopping Center, 29 South changes into Emmet Street. Follow Emmet Street through three lights. The fourth light will be at the intersection of Emmet and Ivy. The UVA tennis courts will be ahead of you on the left. Stay on Emmet through this intersection. After you pass Lewis Mountain Road on your right, the entrance to the parking garage will be on your left.

From I-64: Take Exit 118B to Charlottesville and then take the next right-hand exit (it comes up very quickly). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Fontaine Avenue, towards Charlottesville. At the second light, go straight as Fontaine changes into Jefferson Park Avenue. Pass through a blinking yellow light. At the next stoplight, turn left onto Emmet Street. After you pass under two bridges, turn right into the parking garage.

C-1 Parking Lot (for those with limited mobility)

The C-1 lot is located off McCormick Road on Cabell Dr. behind Clark and Bryan Halls. This lot is the closest parking for limited mobility patrons. Parking in most spaces in the C1 parking lot are free for everyone after 5:00pm; however, there are some spaces that are permit parking "at all times". The spaces that are reserved at all times, are designated by appropriate signage.

Directions to Old Cabell Hall from C-1 Parking Lot

Through Bryan Hall:
Starting from the C-1 Parking Lot behind Bryan Hall and beside New Cabell.

Enter Bryan Hall on the parking lot level (under the staircase).
Turn left at the end of the hall. Elevator is on your left.
Take the elevator to the 3rd Floor.
Exit the elevator on the 3rd floor and turn right.
Take the first left and exit the building.
Turn right and follow the covered walkway to the Lawn; at the end of the walkway, Old Cabell Hall is directly in front of you.
Once on the Lawn, Old Cabell Hall will be on the right.
Take the ramp on your right into Old Cabell Hall.

Old Cabell Hall has access for those with limited mobility from the Lawn via a ramp into the west entrance of the lobby. Once entering the lobby, proceed to the right through a double doorway and take an immediate left, which leads to the accessible seating box in the Concert Hall.