‘Symphony of Horror’: Aurora church to screen original ‘Nosferatu’ with live organ music
Celebrating Halloween season, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora will screen a famous 1922 silent horror film with organ accompaniment on Sunday, Oct. 19.
The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the church, 420 W. Downer Place in Aurora. Church organist Ryan Russell will perform during a showing of “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.”
Pastor Eric Miller said the public is invited. Admission and parking are free. Concessions will be available and donations will be accepted.
With subtitles, “Nosferatu” is a 90-minute, black-and-white German expressionist vampire film based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 “Dracula” novel. The unauthorized film adaptation came to be regarded as an influential masterpiece of cinema and the horror genre.
Set in 1838, in the fictional German town of Wisburg, the film focuses on Thomas Hutter, who was sent to Transylvania by his employer, the eccentric real estate agent Herr Knock. Hutter is to visit a new client, Count Orlok, who plans to buy a house across from Hutter's residence.
Max Schreck stars as Count Orlok, a vampire who preys on the wife (Greta Schröder) of his estate agent (Gustav von Wangenheim) and brings the plague to their town.
Organist Russell, of Belvidere, said, “I'm looking forward to revamping Our Savior’s music program and continuing to bring musical excellence and experiences to the Aurora community.”
A native of Bald Knob, Arkansas, Russell majored in vocal and instrumental music at Southern Arkansas University. He began his career in church music ministry in Magnolia, Arkansas, in 2009. In 2012, he became organist and associate director of music at the historic First United Methodist Church in Searcy, Arkansas. He then began working as accompanist and organist for Harding University in Searcy, where he accompanied and assisted university choirs and the orchestra.
In 2023, Russell began directing choirs and worship teams at Rockford United Methodist Church and Rock Valley Community College. He recently joined Our Savior in Aurora.
For information, call (630) 897-5936.