‘No music on earth can be compared with ours’
Unlocking the Magic of Gustav Mahler’s Fourth Symphony
Internationally-known Mahler scholar, Dr Thomas Peattie, will offer an immersive exploration of one of Gustav Mahler’s most enchanting works. His lecture will delve into the symphony’s radiant blend of innocence, nostalgia, and spiritual depth, revealing how Mahler masterfully juxtaposes simplicity with profound emotion. Through an engaging discussion of its themes, orchestration, and poetic finale—a child’s vision of heaven—Dr. Peattie will address the rich layers of meaning and innovation within this masterpiece. Whether you are a seasoned Mahler enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this journey through the Fourth Symphony will inspire awe and a deeper connection to its timeless beauty.
DR. Thomas peattie
Dr. Thomas Peattie is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Mississippi. He holds degrees in composition and musicology from the University of Calgary and a Ph.D. in historical musicology from Harvard University. His most recent research explores the relationship between Romanticism and modernism with a particular focus on the music of Gustav Mahler and Luciano Berio. He is the recipient of fellowships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Paul Sacher Foundation (Basel, Switzerland), the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America at Columbia University, and the Northrop Frye Centre at the University of Toronto.
He serves on the Advisory Board of the Gustav Mahler Research Center (Dobbiaco, Italy) and the editorial board of Mahler Dimensions: New Library of the International Gustav Mahler Society (Hollitzer Verlag, Vienna). His work has appeared in Mahler and his World (Princeton), Music, Modern Culture, and the Critical Ear (Routledge), Mahler in Context (Cambridge), The Cambridge Companion to Music and Romanticism, the Journal of the Royal Musical Association, Music and Letters, Nineteenth-Century Music Review, and Contemporary Music Review. He is the author of Gustav Mahler’s Symphonic Landscapes (Cambridge University Press, 2015) and is currently preparing a monograph on the transcribing practice of Luciano Berio.
Gustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), an Austrian composer and conductor, is a towering figure of late-Romantic music, bridging the 19th and 20th centuries. Born in Bohemia, he displayed prodigious talent early, entering the Vienna Conservatory at 15. Renowned for his meticulous conducting, he led prestigious institutions like the Vienna Court Opera and New York Philharmonic.
Mahler’s compositions, especially his symphonies and song cycles, explore profound themes of life, death, love, and redemption. His symphonies are vast emotional landscapes, blending traditional forms with innovative orchestration and thematic depth. His songs, inspired by folk traditions, express universal struggles with love, nature, and loss.
Despite facing anti-Semitic prejudice and personal challenges, Mahler’s music remains a profound expression of the human condition. His emotional intensity and structural innovation profoundly influenced 20th-century music, ensuring his enduring legacy in Western classical tradition.
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Historic Natchez Foundation (108 S. Commerce St.)
Admission: Free
The Heavenly Life:
A Child’s view of Heaven
Mahler- Symphony No. 4
Featuring: The Festival Chamber Ensemble,
Sarah Stembel, soprano & Jay Dean, conductor
Embark on a musical journey like no other with a breathtaking performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 4. Immerse yourself in the instrumental textures, intricate melodies, and emotional depth of this masterpiece as it unfolds before your eyes. Let the symphony's enchanting themes transport you to a realm of beauty and introspection, guided by Mahler's unparalleled musical genius. Join us for an evening of sublime artistry and profound musical expression that will leave you spellbound and inspired. Experience the sheer elegance of Mahler's Symphony No. 4 in a chamber orchestra performance that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.
Date:
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time:
7:00 p.m.
Location:
Natchez City Auditorium, 207 Jefferson St., Natchez, Miss.
Admission:
$35
Sarah Stembel, Lyric Soprano
Lyric soprano Sarah Stembel, a native of New Orleans, has graced stages across the Gulf South and beyond, captivating audiences with her powerful voice and versatile performances. Most recently, Sarah was an Apprentice Artist with Sarasota Opera, where she performed in Carmen, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Luisa Miller. Prior to her time in Sarasota, Sarah performed with MiOpera as Edith in The Pirates of Penzance and with Dayton Opera as Doris Parker in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird. In the fall of 2022, she was a Resident Artist with Dayton Opera, further solidifying her reputation as an emerging talent in the operatic world.
Sarah completed her Master of Music in Opera Performance at the Maryland Opera Studio in 2021. While there, she brought to life the roles of Violante (Sandrina) in La finta giardiniera and Miss Wingrave in Owen Wingrave. In 2019, she played Musetta in La Bohème with The Natchez Festival of Music, a performance that marked a pivotal moment in her blossoming career.
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 2018, Sarah was featured in several productions with the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company. Her standout roles during this time included Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera and Yum-Yum in The Mikado. Additionally, she appeared in the ensembles of Turandot, Rigoletto, Carmen, and Tosca, and participated in similar productions with Opera Mississippi.
Sarah has achieved significant success in vocal competitions, earning 1st place in the Gulfcoast Steinway Vocal Competition, 3rd place in the John Alexander National Voice Competition, 2nd place in the Voices of Mississippi Competition, and the grand prize in the Delta Symphony Concerto Competition.
With her radiant voice and captivating stage presence, Sarah continues to establish herself as a rising star in the operatic world.