Westminster Kantorei and Fuma Sacra Will Perform Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610
Westminster Kantorei and Fuma Sacra will collaborate under the direction of Andrew Megill to present Claudio Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Virgine (Vespers of 1610), on Friday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. in Bristol Chapel, on the campus of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton and Saturday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m. in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in New York City.
Monteverdi’s Vespers are a delight of Baroque music, expounding on the range of human emotion, and the complexity of the voice. Originally composed for the vastness of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, the Vespers are a showcase of the evolution of music, from early polyphony into the glories of the Baroque. In a rare complete performance, the work will be performed with an ensemble of brilliant period instrumentalists.
Specializing in vocal music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, Westminster Kantorei is a chamber choir composed of 16 students from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. In addition to this performance, its 2005-2006 season includes the ensemble’s New York debut, with works of Buxtehude as well as a program based on the biblical Song of Solomon. .
Founded in 1989, Fuma Sacra is renowned as one of the country’s most exciting and important interpreters of early music. Currently ensemble-in-residence at Westminster, it has been acclaimed for passionate and virtuoso performances, which, in the words of Classical New Jersey, “have left the audience gasping in amazement.”
Although the ensemble is committed to historically informed performance, Fuma Sacra’s concerts are even more widely known for their innovative programming, passionate performance and depth of artistry. Its first recording, The Best Nowells That E’er Befell, includes music from the 10th to the 20th centuries in seven languages.
Andrew Megill is recognized as one of the leading choral conductors of his generation, known for his passionate artistry and unusually wide-ranging repertoire, extending from early music to newly-composed works.
Dr. Megill currently holds four significant positions. Since 1989, he has served as artistic director of Fuma Sacra, recognized as one of America's leading professional ensembles specializing in Renaissance and Baroque vocal music. He is also music director of the Masterwork Chorus, one of metropolitan New York’s finest volunteer choirs, and, for the past 11 years, he has served as chorus master for the operas of the Spoleto Festival USA. He is also associate professor at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, where he conducts the Westminster Kantorei.
Andrew Megill has prepared choruses for many of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, including the American Composers Orchestra, American Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, National Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, New York Philharmonic and the Mark Morris Dance Company, for conductors including Pierre Boulez, Charles Dutoit, Neeme Järvi, and Zdenek Macal.
Westminster Choir College is located at Hamilton Avenue and Walnut Lane in Princeton, N.J. Tickets to the Princeton performance are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students and may be purchased by contacting the Westminster box office at 609-921-2663.
Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church is located at 213 W. 82nd Street in New York City. Tickets for the New York performance are $25 for adults and $10 for students and seniors and may be purchased by calling 212-787-0634.
