Poulenc’s Gloria
Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé
April 18 & 19, 7:30pm
Princeton University Glee Club & Orchestra

The Princeton University Glee Club and Orchestra coalesce into a not-to-be missed conflux of magic, performing the monumental pieces Poulenc’s Gloria and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé.

Francis Poulenc’s Gloria, composed in 1959-60, is one of the French composer’s most celebrated sacred works. Commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation, it was premiered in 1961 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and soprano Adele Addison under Charles Munch. Poulenc blended liturgical text with his signature wit and elegance, infusing the work with both reverence and light-hearted charm. The Gloria stands out for its unique mix of solemnity and joy, reflecting Poulenc's complex spirituality and deep Catholic faith.

Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, completed in 1912, was commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes and choreographed by Michel Fokine. Based on the ancient Greek romance by Longus, Ravel described the score as a “symphonie chorégraphique,” emphasizing its orchestral richness and continuous musical flow. The work is noted for its lush harmonies, impressionistic textures, and rhythmic vitality. Today, it is celebrated not only as a masterful ballet score but also as one of the pinnacles of early 20th-century French orchestral music.

The performance takes place in Richardson Auditorium on Friday April 18 and Saturday April 19.

Our Tour in Spain and Portugal! March 8th - 16th Read the latest on our blog here!

Current Concert Season is available here!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating our 150th anniversary!