March 31, 2026

Contact Mary Ellen Haupert at mehaupert@viterbo.edu

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The final concert of this season’s Out of Our Minds Chamber Music Series will feature the music of Indian classical composer Reena Esmail at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12 in the Fine Arts Center Nola Starling Recital Hall.

Esmail’s music first caught the attention of Viterbo faculty member and pianist Mary Ellen Haupert when she performed Jhula Jhule with cellist Magdalena Sas. Esmail’s captivating combination of Hindustani and Western classical music was so rich in captivating melodies and lush harmonies that Haupert decided to build an entire concert of her music.

The concert opens with soprano Elizabeth Pearse and pianist Haupert performing a love song, Rosa de Sal, based on poetry by Neruda and I Do Not Know What I Know, an aria from Esmail’s cantata Say Your Name. Cellist Alexander Fowler will join Haupert for Jhula, Jhule, followed by Dhire, Dhire, featuring soprano Theodora Nestorova, violinist Michelle Elliott, cellist Alexander Fowler, and pianist Haupert.

The final work on the program is Esmail’s piano trio, which is a four-movement work inspired by the music of Maurice Ravel. Writing a piano trio has fulfilled one of Esmail’s oldest ambitions as a musician. Growing up as a talented pianist, trios with violin and cello were her favorite form of chamber music, and she won a life-changing competition that resulted in her performing Mendelssohn’s Second Piano Trio with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She also counts Ravel’s Piano Trio as an all-time favorite work, noting, “So much of what I’ve learned about color and texture in my writing comes from Ravel.”

The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome, and a free-will offering will be held.

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