{"id":397177,"date":"2026-09-11T19:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T19:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/397177\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T19:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T19:40:12","slug":"fort-myers-symphonic-mastersingers-perform-mozarts-requiem-at-honoring-our-heroes-wgcu-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/397177\/","title":{"rendered":"Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers perform Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ at ‘Honoring Our Heroes’ | WGCU News"},"content":{"rendered":"

One hundred voices. One hundred fifty performances. The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers is a renowned choral organization with a reputation for musical excellence.<\/p>\n

Says Musical Director Matt Koller, the Mastersingers are also celebrating their 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur very first rehearsal was September 10, 2001, the day before 9-11 occurred,\u201d Koller said. \u201cAnd since then, we’ve grown from a small community choir to an organization that has four choirs. Within the Mastersingers umbrella, we also have the City of Palms Youth Choir. We have Luminara, which is an 18-voice women’s choir. And we have our memory choir called Intermezzo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Fort<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers Artistic Director Matt Koller at rehearsal of Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ <\/p>\n

Koller joined the Mastersingers for a performance of Mozart\u2019s \u201cRequiem\u201d on the 10th anniversary of 9\/11.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe piece really honors the lives of those who perished that day,\u201d said Koller. \u201cThe victims who worked there, the victims who were first responders. It\u2019s just a wonderful memorial.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to legend, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was writing \u201cRequiem\u201d for his own funeral but died before completing the masterpiece. The music brims with urgency, intensity, and an uncanny sense of personal reflection.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s very, very moving,\u201d Koller observed. \u201cYou know, you’ve got the full orchestra, a full symphonic choir, and a quartet of soloists \u2026. People get very moved by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mastersingers will perform \u201cRequiem\u201d tonight at \u201cHonoring Our Heroes\u201d at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.<\/p>\n

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"Fort<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers rehearse Mozart’s ‘Requiem.’<\/p>\n

MORE INFORMATION:<\/p>\n

The full title of the work is \u201cRequiem in D Minor.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was notably performed at a special memorial Mass held on Jan. 19, 1964 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston for President John F. Kennedy, which was attended by Jacqueline Kennedy and other members of the Kennedy family.<\/p>\n

It was Mozart\u2019s wife, Constanze, who maintained that Mozart was composing \u201cRequiem\u201d for his own funeral. Just one day after completing the first four measures of the \u201cLacrimosa,\u201d Mozart died on Dec. 5, 1791.<\/p>\n

\u201cFranz Xavier Sussmayr, who was one of Mozart\u2019s pupils that his wife Constanze found to complete it. And since then, there’s been several other completions as well. But that one’s the most historical,\u201d Koller said.<\/p>\n

The credibility of S\u00fcssmayr’s contribution came under scrutiny, worsened by accusations of forgery. Scholars have since argued over whether Mozart had already fleshed out the conclusions, whether S\u00fcssmayr merely polished or substantially composed the latter movements.<\/p>\n

\"Fort<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers rehearse Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ under direction of Fort Myers Philharmonic Maestro Paul Nadler. <\/p>\n

Authentic Mozart sections include the Introit (“Requiem aeternam”), “Dies irae,” “Tuba mirum,” “Rex tremendae,” “Recordare,” “Confutatis,” “Lacrimosa” (first eight bars), and orchestration of some lines in “Quam olim Abrahae” and “Domine Jesu.”<\/p>\n

Movements largely attributed to S\u00fcssmayr are the completed “Lacrimosa,” “Sanctus,” “Benedictus,” and “Agnus Dei,” plus some orchestration in the “Domine Jesu.”<\/p>\n

Alternative completions (now numerous) by scholars like Franz Beyer, Robert Levin, and Eric Lanfear offer revised versions that trim S\u00fcssmayr\u2019s inserts and reconstruct missing parts based on Mozart\u2019s style and harmonic logic.<\/p>\n

Mozart poured his deepest emotions into the work. The \u201cRequiem aeternam\u201d is mournful; the \u201cDies irae\u201d terrifying, the \u201cRecordare\u201d tender.<\/p>\n

\"Fort<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers rehearse Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ under direction of Fort Myers Philharmonic Maestro Paul Nadler. <\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our goals is to be out there in the community and to try to develop traditions and just be with people,\u201d Koller added. \u201cThis is just one way to do that. We’re also thrilled that we’re able to sing in the premier concert of the Fort Myers Philharmonic with Maestro Nadler. Really, really thrilled about that and happy to join them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Fort<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers rehearse Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ under direction of Fort Myers Philharmonic Maestro Paul Nadler.<\/p>\n

About the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers<\/p>\n

Since forming in 2001, the Mastersingers have grown from a small chorus to a 100-plus voice ensemble of men and women dedicated to excellence in music.<\/p>\n

The Mastersingers believe that a love of music lasts a lifetime. It can touch people of all ages, bringing joy and light to our community.<\/p>\n

The Mastersingers\u2019 mission is to cultivate a lifetime of music through exceptional performance, educational initiatives, and community outreach.<\/p>\n

\"Music<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Music Director Matt Koller joined the Mastersingers on their 10th anniversary for a performance of ‘Requiem’ honoring 10th anniversary of 9\/11. <\/p>\n

About Matt Koller<\/p>\n

Matt Koller is the artistic director of the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers and the City of Palms Youth Choir. Choirs under his direction have performed several masterworks and world premieres. They have appeared in Carnegie Hall, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and other prestigious venues. Koller has conducted the Florida Gulf Coast University Opera, Gulfshore Opera and Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. He is an adjunct professor of voice at Florida SouthWestern State College.<\/p>\n

Koller has also been teaching private voice lessons for over 25 years. His students have appeared in lead roles on Broadway, national tours, television, film, and work in fields such as music education, sacred music, theater, dance, casting, and arts administration.<\/p>\n

Koller is a graduate of Westminster Choir College where he sang in the Westminster Choir and studied with Joseph Flummerfelt and James Jordan, and is a current member and soloist of The Same Stream Choir in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\"Music<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Music Director Matt Koller joined the Mastersingers on their 10th anniversary for a performance of ‘Requiem’ honoring 10th anniversary of 9\/11. <\/p>\n

As a tenor, he has performed throughout the United States and Italy in numerous operas and concert works.<\/p>\n

Koller is also a drummer and musical director for local theaters. His Florida Repertory credits include \u201cBeehive,\u201d \u201cBeguiled Again,\u201d \u201cLady Day at Emerson\u2019s Bar and Grill,\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s Fall in Love,\u201d \u201cBroadway\u2019s Best!\u201d \u201cTenderly,\u201d \u201cAlways\u2026Patsy Cline\u201d and \u201cA Gentleman\u2019s Guide to Love and Murder.\u201d Gulf Coast Symphony credits include \u201cForever Plaid,\u201d \u201cNunsense II\u201d and \u201cRoute 66.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Fort<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Fort Myers Philharmonic<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Fort Myers Philharmonic <\/p>\n

‘Honoring Our Heroes’ is the inaugural concert of the Fort Myers Philharmonic.<\/p>\n

About the Fort Myers Philharmonic<\/p>\n

\u201cHonoring Our Heroes\u201d is the inaugural concert of the Fort Myers Philharmonic.
Read:<\/p>\n

\u201cFort Myers Philharmonic\u2019s inaugural concert will honor 9\/11 fallen heroes and first responders;\u201d<\/a> and
\u201cNewly formed Fort Myers Philharmonic to be directed by Paul Nadler and pops conductor Christopher Confessore.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Support for WGCU\u2019s arts & culture reporting comes from the Estate of Myra Janco Daniels, the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation, and Naomi Bloom in loving memory of her husband, Ron Wallace.<\/p>\n

!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
\n{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
\nif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;
\nn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
\ns.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,’script’,
\n‘https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js’);
\nfbq(‘init’, ‘138417744929891’);
\nfbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One hundred voices. One hundred fifty performances. The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers is a renowned choral organization with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":397178,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-397177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/397177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=397177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/397177\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/397178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=397177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=397177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=397177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}