Bach Society: Faure Requiem

A requiem seems a strange choice to welcome spring, but the Bach Society of Saint Louis knows what it's doing. Gabriel Fauré envisioned his Requiem as a piece that offered hope and reconciliation rather than mourning, and he succeeded. His love of gentle melody and enveloping chromaticism suffuses the music, which is as comforting as a much-needed hug. The program is in honor of the Bach Society's 75th anniversary, and includes Mendelssohn's Heilig, Ralph Vaughan Williams' Rise Heart and a specially commissioned new work from Stephen Mager, Sarabande. Fauré's Requiem is performed with soprano Jane Jennings and baritone Ian Greenlaw as the featured soloists at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (4431 Lindell Boulevard; 314-533-7662). Tickets are $19 to $42.