Excerpts from Simon Sargon’s Opera “Saul” will be performed at Aaron Family Jewish Community Center in Dallas on June 7, 2014

May 11, 2014 – For immediate release:

Excerpts from ‘SAUL’ will be performed in concert Saturday evening, June 7, 2014, at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, Texas, at 7:30 p.m.

Purchase tickets online at https://simonsargon.eventbrite.com through Eventbrite.com (search SIMON SARGON if you link directly) and are just $25 and $10 Students w/valid ID when presented at the door.

Twenty plus years in the making, ‘SAUL’, with libretto and music by well-known and acclaimed composer, pianist and educator Simon Sargon, tells the story of the biblical King Saul, his friendship with David (of Goliath-slaying fame) and his tragic descent into madness and paranoia stemming from jealousy. Events are based on the biblical books of Samuel I and II.

The opera consists of 10 short scenes. It takes place in ancient Israel about 1200 B.C. and is freely based on the events in the biblical books of Samuel I and II. After a dramatic orchestral prelude, the opera opens with the reluctant Saul being anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul quickly loses God’s favor by disobeying His commands and Samuel anoints the young shepherd David as the new king. After David slays the Philistine giant Goliath, he becomes more popular with the people than Saul. Psychologically fragile, Saul begins a slow descent into madness and paranoia. This dramatic tension forms the basis for a tragic ending and a cautionary tale for mankind.

Performers include internationally recognized artists of the operatic stage Donnie Ray Albert, Baritone, as Saul, Clifton Forbis, Tenor, as David, and Stephen Morscheck, Bass-Baritone, as Samuel.

Donnie Ray Albert	Clifton Forbis	Stephen Morscheck

What the Critics Say

Following a Dallas Symphony performance of a suite based on musical themes taken from “Saul,” this review appeared in The Dallas Morning News:

" Sargon's 'Tapestries' is very much in recognizable biblical-epic manner. The outer movements, 'Saul Among the Prophets' and 'The Supreme Command,' work up dramatic clashes and turbulent rhythms. The central movements, 'Sanctuary' and 'The Oath,' weave haunting melodies, with a touch of cantorial exoticism, through soft-focus textures. (Presumably many of the suite's melodies have been orchestrated from vocal lines.) The performance left one curious to hear the opera, which has yet to be performed in its entirety. There were numerous eloquent wind solos..." Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News/ September 2011

About Simon Sargon

Simon Sargon’s compositions have been widely performed nationally and internationally. For 27 years he served with distinction as Director of Music at Temple Emanu-El. He was a member of SMU’s music faculty for 32 years and was honored with the prestigious Meadows Distinguished Professor Award in 2009.

His works span a wide variety of genres, including opera, orchestral works, choral and chamber music. Two of his works, “Symphony No. 1- Holocaust” and “Tapestries” -- an orchestral suite with music adapted from "Saul"-- were premiered to critical acclaim by The Dallas Symphony. He is considered to be one of the most significant composers of Jewish liturgical music in the country, and his liturgical compositions are part of the worship of synagogues and Temples across America. His secular works are performed at universities and in concert halls around the world and are the subject of numerous dissertations.

Sponsors:

SMU Division of Music, Meadows School of the Arts; Temple Emanu-El Music Committee; Puccini Society of Dallas; Jewish Federation; Southwest Jewish Congress, Texas Jewish Post; Wagner Society of Dallas