The University of Missouri–St. Louis Symphony Orchestra combined with the UMSL Wind Ensemble to perform the exciting concert titled “Death and Life” on May 8 in the Anheuser-Busch Concert Hall at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center under the direction of Director of Instrumental Ensembles David Wacyk, an assistant teaching professor of music.

The first half of the concert featured Eric Houghton’s “Five Songs of Life and Death” featuring the premiere of the orchestral setting of five Victor Hugo poems performed by renowned soprano Mary Dunleavy.

The second half presented French romantic Hector Berlioz’ “Symphony funèbre et triomphale” (Funeral and Triumphant Symphony). Commissioned to commemorate the people lost during the July Revolution, Berlioz’ symphony for massive military band and strings is an epic in three movements, which takes the listener on a journey through determination, sorrow and triumph. St. Louis Symphony Orchestra trombonist Jonathan Reycraft joined the orchestra as a guest soloist.

This photograph was taken by UMSL photographer Derik Holtmann and is the latest to be featured in Eye on UMSL. View more UMSL photos by visiting the UMSL Flickr and Instagram accounts.