A landmark silent film will be accompanied by live musical improvisation in a program presented by Eastman School of Music musicians and Christ Church Schola Cantorum at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Christ Church.
Produced in France in 1928, The Passion of Joan of Arc (La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc) was directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, considered one of the greatest directors in cinema. Based on the actual record of Joan of Arc’s trial, it starred stage actress Renée Jeanne Falconetti in her only screen role.
The movie was lauded for its innovative camera angles, stunning imagery, and compositions, with close-ups emphasizing the emotions on the actors’ faces. Many critics regard Falconetti’s performance as one of the finest recorded on film.
Musical accompaniment for The Passion of Joan of Arc will be presented by Edoardo Bellotti, Associate Professor of Organ, Harpsichord and Improvisation at Eastman, and Stephen Kennedy, Instructor of Sacred Music and director of Schola Cantorum, which will also perform.
Bellotti has appeared in festivals and concert venues around the world and is an acclaimed organist and improviser. He has made several critically acclaimed recordings and has taught at several universities and musical institutions in Europe. Kennedy is director of music and organist at Christ Church. He has appeared often as organ soloist in programs of standard repertoire as well as recitals consisting solely of improvisations. Schola Cantorum specializes in Gregorian chant, choral music from the Renaissance and baroque as well as choral improvisation. The ensemble has collaborated in concert with Weser-Renaissance Bremen, Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Players, and others.
A donation of $10 will be accepted at the door, free with Eastman and University of Rochester Student ID. The program is presented by the University of Rochester Film/Music Cluster and the Eastman School of Music’s Humanities and Organ Departments.
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Calendar listing:
Thursday, April 10
The Passion of Joan of Arc. Silent film masterpiece with live musical accompaniment by Edoardo Bellotti, Stephen Kennedy, and Christ Church Schola Cantorum
8 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
Admission: Donation $10 at door; free with Eastman and University of Rochester Student ID