Symphony to highlight French composers

Every now and then, DuPage Symphony Orchestra conductor Barbara Schubert gets to indulge her passion for a particular musical selection.

Such will be the case Saturday when the orchestra takes the stage to present "Sweet Fragrances of France" at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall in Naperville.

The orchestra, accompanied by the college's Women's Chorale and soloists Sharon Quattrin and Victoria VerHoven, will perform French composer Claude Debussy's "La damoiselle elue."

"It's an early Debussy piece. It's exquisitely beautiful," Schubert said. "That's a major piece in the program. I picked this piece and built the program around it. I've wanted to do it for a long time."

Schubert said the music's delicate orchestrations are enhanced by the Women's Chorale, a group that contributes "pure and almost ethereal" voices.

"It's an appealing piece in terms of its source," she said.

Schubert said that though the DSO has never performed this Debussy work before, the orchestra has performed with the NCC Women's Chorale in the past.

"We have collaborated with them a number of times before. They produce a very high-caliber artistic result. They have a really fine conductor," said Schubert, referring to founder and director Ramona M. Wis.

Saturday's program also includes excerpts from Hector Berlioz's "Romeo et Juliette."

"It's close to Valentine's Day, so 'Romeo et Juliette' is a good thing," Schubert said.

Audience members also will be treated to selections from Berlioz's "La damnation de Faust," a piece that may not be readily recognized by title.

"They'll know it when they hear it," Schubert said.

The orchestra also will play excepts from the opera "Pelleas et Melisande," composed by Debussy, Berlioz and Gabriel Faure.

Schubert said a common thread from the works of 19th-century French composers will become apparent to listeners.

"French composers are known for their orchestration," she said. "The music sounds pretty on the whole. Specific colors come through. It's very appealing to the senses."

If you go

What: "Sweet Fragrances of France"

Who: DuPage Symphony Orchestra, with the North Central College Women's Chorale

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville

Tickets: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $8 for students and children

Info: (630) 637-7469 or dupagesymphony.org