DePaul University’s School of Music will present a concert commemorating the 250^th birthday of German thinker and writer Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at the DePaul Concert Hall, 804 W. Belden Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

The concert includes an introduction to Goethe’s poem "Faust" by DePaul Professor Inca Rumold and performances of three songs from Schubert’s "Faust" by student soprano Anna Lobur, accompanied by DePaul Music Professor Thomas Brown. Three poems by Goethe and an introduction to his autobiographical novel, "Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship," will also be presented by Rumold, followed by a performance of Schuman’s "Songs from Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister, Opus 98a," featuring student soprano Susan Payne, Stephen Lofts and Brown. All works will be presented in German, but printed English translations will be distributed.

Brown, who teaches opera history and the interpretation of vocal literature at DePaul, organized the concert. An Evanston resident, Brown is a frequent lecturer on music history for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Concertante di Chicago.

Brown said his interest in Goethe was fueled by his musical studies in Berlin from 1961-63 on a scholarship funded by the DAAD, a German exchange program that is also sponsoring the Goethe concert. "Goethe’s birthday is being honored all over the world," Brown said. "I planned the event so that we could join in the celebration of his birth and of his artistic contributions."

For more information on DePaul School of Music events, call 773/325-7664.