Purcell's King Arthur is one of the Baroque's true gems with a lasting success since its London premiere in 1691. The story tells of the confrontation between Arthur, the Christian Breton king and Oswald, the Pagan Saxon king. Assisted by their sorcerers, Merlin on the side of good and Osmond on the side of evil, they fight for supremacy over Brittany and for the heart of Emmeline, a blind young girl. The BCSD is thrilled to present this work with an all-star cast of musicians who will deliver one of Purcell's signature works with an unmistakable energy and virtuosity. 

Purcell's King Arthur is one of the Baroque's true gems with a lasting success since its London premiere in 1691. The story tells of the confrontation between Arthur, the Christian Breton king and Oswald, the Pagan Saxon king. Assisted by their sorcerers, Merlin on the side of good and Osmond on the side of evil, they fight for supremacy over Brittany and for the heart of Emmeline, a blind young girl. The BCSD is thrilled to present this work with an all-star cast of musicians who will deliver one of Purcell's signature works with an unmistakable energy and virtuosity.

Frank Martin: Mass for Double Choir

J.S. Bach: Motet: Komm, Jesu, komm BWV 229

Including Other Works for Double Choir

Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir and Bach's Komm, Jesu, komm serves as the catalyst for exploring vocal textures; from the intimacy of four-part writing, to the expansive breadth of eight-parts. Martin's Mass for Double Choir stands as one of the finest a cappella works ever written, with influences ranging from chant, to Renaissance polyphony to above all, Bach. Bach's Komm, Jesu, komm is a benchmark of contrapuntal writing and musical rhetoric and displays in high degree the compositional practices taken up by Frank Martin in his Mass for Double Choir. Seize this opportunity to hear some of the finest vocal music ever written covering a span of over two centuries, and eloquently performed by the Choir of BCSD.

Frank Martin: Mass for Double Choir

J.S. Bach: Motet: Komm, Jesu, komm BWV 229

Including Other Works for Double Choir

Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir and Bach's Komm, Jesu, komm serves as the catalyst for exploring vocal textures; from the intimacy of four-part writing, to the expansive breadth of eight-parts. Martin's Mass for Double Choir stands as one of the finest a cappella works ever written, with influences ranging from chant, to Renaissance polyphony to above all, Bach. Bach's Komm, Jesu, komm is a benchmark of contrapuntal writing and musical rhetoric and displays in high degree the compositional practices taken up by Frank Martin in his Mass for Double Choir. Seize this opportunity to hear some of the finest vocal music ever written covering a span of over two centuries, and eloquently performed by the Choir of BCSD.

Perhaps nothing conveys the sheer joy of Christmas better than Bach's Christmas Oratorio composed for Leipzig's Christmas season of 1734. Opening with an exhilarating timpani fanfare, what ensues is a euphoric crescendo leading to the outburst, Jauchzet, frohlocket!, leaving no doubt that the festival of Christmas has arrived. The Christmas Oratorio carries the listener through the Christmas narrative as seen through the eyes of the angels, shepherds, and magi, and includes some of Bach's most sublime music. Don't miss BCSD's first foray into this inimitable work as presented by our supreme lineup of musicians. 

Soloists:

Melanie Russell, Soprano

Janelle DeStefano, Mezzo-Soprano

Jay Carter, Countertenor

Jason McStoots, Tenor

Paul Max Tipton, Baritone

Perhaps nothing conveys the sheer joy of Christmas better than Bach's Christmas Oratorio composed for Leipzig's Christmas season of 1734. Opening with an exhilarating timpani fanfare, what ensues is a euphoric crescendo leading to the outburst, Jauchzet, frohlocket!, leaving no doubt that the festival of Christmas has arrived. The Christmas Oratorio carries the listener through the Christmas narrative as seen through the eyes of the angels, shepherds, and magi, and includes some of Bach's most sublime music. Don't miss BCSD's first foray into this inimitable work as presented by our supreme lineup of musicians. 

Soloists:

Melanie Russell, Soprano

Janelle DeStefano, Mezzo-Soprano

Jay Carter, Countertenor

Jason McStoots, Tenor

Paul Max Tipton, Baritone

G.F. Handel: Apollo e Dafne, HWV 122

Jean-Baptiste Stuck: Héraclite et Démocrite

including instrumental works by J. P. Rameau

A compelling pairing of two extraordinary works featuring the dramatic prowess of Handel's music, alongside the lesser-known, but equally as ravishing, music of Jean-Baptiste Stuck. These two works highlight the principle of the dialogue, and its powerful portrayal through music. Handel's Apollo e Dafne, completed in 1709 in Venice, is virtually a mini-opera which brings Ovid's story to life in which the heroic warrior Apollo pursues Dafne who seeks to escape the god's unwanted advances. Stuck's duet cantata brings the debate and dialogue of two philosophers to life, one optimistic, the other pessimistic, propelled by Stuck's rich and sonorous music. Soprano, Clara Rottsolk and baritone, Mischa Bouvier, enliven these 'dialogues'.

Soloists: 

Clara Rottsolk, Soprano

Mischa Bouvier, Baritone

G.F. Handel: Apollo e Dafne, HWV 122

Jean-Baptiste Stuck: Héraclite et Démocrite

including instrumental works by J. P. Rameau

A compelling pairing of two extraordinary works featuring the dramatic prowess of Handel's music, alongside the lesser-known, but equally as ravishing, music of Jean-Baptiste Stuck. These two works highlight the principle of the dialogue, and its powerful portrayal through music. Handel's Apollo e Dafne, completed in 1709 in Venice, is virtually a mini-opera which brings Ovid's story to life in which the heroic warrior Apollo pursues Dafne who seeks to escape the god's unwanted advances. Stuck's duet cantata brings the debate and dialogue of two philosophers to life, one optimistic, the other pessimistic, propelled by Stuck's rich and sonorous music. Soprano, Clara Rottsolk and baritone, Mischa Bouvier, enliven these 'dialogues'.

Soloists: 

Clara Rottsolk, Soprano

Mischa Bouvier, Baritone