Choral Arts Philadelphia

"Thy hand, Belinda"

Meet the artists of our upcoming performance of Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas." Featuring Steven Berlanga (Aeneas) and Grammy Award-winners Jessica Beebe (Dido) and Rebecca Myers (Belinda).

Get thy ticket! --> https://bit.ly/4a7WEC6

Dido and Aeneas Don’t miss Choral Arts Philadelphia's 2023-24 season finale, partnering with The Primavera Fund: Henry Purcell’s tragic English opera Dido and Aeneas.

Things to know about Claudio Monteverdi's Vespers as Choral Arts Philadelphia prepares for our December 31st one-time performance!

Claudio Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 (originally, Vespro della Beata Vergine) was thought to have been written for the 1608 royal wedding held in Mantua, Italy.

To give this music a sense of the sacred and eternal, Monteverdi used the Medieval technique of the cantus firmus, employing phrases of long, slow plainsong chant. But he surrounded it with new and daring counterpoint. The contrast between these two styles and eras helps lend the music an unforgettable tension and grandeur.

The way the piece was written affords interpreters a lot of flexibility. In some spots, Monteverdi refrained from specifying aspects of the music like the tempos, the dynamics (soft and loud), and instrumentation, so much so that in some sections, it’s not clear which passages should be sung by soloists versus the full group! So each conductor who takes on this piece has to make all of those decisions themself.

Get your tickets now to see the interpretation of Choral Arts Philadelphia!

Choral Arts Philadelphia’s “First Day of School” photo with special guest, Mini Bach! Check out our stories for a special inside glimpse into today’s rehearsal! Congratulations to Donald Meineke for leading his very first rehearsal as Artistic Director of Choral Arts! Even if Mini Bach had to keep him on task! 😉

🎼 Introducing our latest muse: Monteverdi Ken, riding in style on his Vespa! He's not only a classical heartthrob, but a ‘Vesper’ enthusiast too! As Choral Arts Philadelphia gears up for an our unforgettable NYE Celebration of Monteverdi's "Vespers of 1610," we couldn't resist sharing this pun-tastic masterpiece.

🗓️ Mark your calendars for our spectacular performance of Monteverdi's "Vespers of 1610" New Year’s Eve. 🎉 And stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our talented singers preparing to deliver a truly enchanting experience.

Monteverdi Ken credit to Martin Chiang

Choral Arts Philadelphia is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Donald Meineke as Artistic Director for the 23/24 Season! This announcement follows the transformative 19 year tenure of Artistic Director, Matthew Glandorf, who skillfully led Choral Arts with an early music focus. Choral Arts bids Matt a heartfelt and fond farewell as he returns to Germany to accept an exciting new position with the Lutheran church.

We welcome Donald as we prepare for an exciting 23/24 Season which will include five captivating concerts that explore a range of musical styles and themes from Bach to Britten! Choral Arts is also excited to have all five concerts in its home of The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square.

Explore the entire season today! --> bit.ly/3MW7X87

The Board Meeting and Retreat today was fantastic! Exciting news coming out this week about 2023/24! Can’t wait to share the news with everyone!

Hailed as "captivating" by Broad Street Review and "splendid" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Tenor James Reese joins Choral Arts Philadelphia as the Evangelist in their production of Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" this Saturday, Dec 31st at 4PM.

For more info: https://bit.ly/NYEBachXmas

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4 days remain until our performance of Bach's "Easter Oratorio" which will end our 2021-22 Season. It's because of YOU that we got through this landmark year. And it's WITH YOU that we remain strong. We're excited to announce our 2022-23 season this week and look forward to seeing you this Wednesday!
https://www.choralarts.com/easteroratorio.html
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Only 6 days left until we open Bach's "Easter Oratorio." The energy is all around us as we are about the announce our electrifying 40th season.
Tickets and Info - https://www.choralarts.com/easteroratorio.html
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Arrive early because right before the May 4th performance Matthew Glandorf will kick off our newest education initiative Choral(U)niversity with a lecture about Bach's "Osteroratorium." We're excited to announce all of our 2022-23 educational offerings! Stay tuned!
Tickets and Info: https://www.choralarts.com/easteroratorio.html
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“It is thrilling to have the full chorus, soloists and Bach Collegium of Philadelphia back performing the work of J.S. Bach which is the cornerstone of our repertoire.” - Matthew Glandorf
Tickets and Info: https://www.choralarts.com/easteroratorio.html
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Celebrate Spring with us and our performance of Bach's "Oster-Oratorium", BWV 249 (Easter Oratorio).

"As the world is more confusing now than ever before, music has not only the power to heal, but the power to curate understanding and grows our community” - Matthew Glandorf

https://www.choralarts.com/easteroratorio.html
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What Artistic Director Matthew Glandorf said to the press about our upcoming performance:
“The Easter Oratorio was revised by the composer several times during his lifetime. Unlike his other works in the genre, Bach does not rely on a traditional Evangelist who tells the story, but the soloists represent the two Marys and the apostles Peter and John in the recitatives. Bookending the Easter Oratorio we will present the 'Agnus Dei' and 'Dona Nobis Pacem' from the 'B Minor Mass'. I believe this music never ceases to be relevant in a world that needs to hear a message of hope, joy and a fervent prayer for peace.”

Tickets and Info:
https://www.choralarts.com/easteroratorio.html
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Wed, May 4th at 7PM join us as we celebrate our season finale with Bach's "Easter Oratorio."
Tickets and Info: https://www.choralarts.com/easteroratorio.html

Happy Early Music Day!

Join Choral Arts Philadelphia TONIGHT as we present "Women of Valor" with some of your favorite musicians: Artistic Director Matthew Glandorf, Jessica Beebe, Jean Bernard Cerin, Cody Müller, Clara Elisabeth, Lauren Kelly, Colin Doyle, and more!
More info at: https://bit.ly/WoVChoralArts

Meet composer Chelsea Komschlies, who's music has been said to possess an “ingratiating allure” (San Diego Story). Ms. Komschlies (b. 1991, Appleton, WI) is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in...Read on at: https://bit.ly/WoVChoralArts

Meet composer Isabella Leonarda. Taking her vows at the age of 16, Leonarda became an Ursuline Nun. Learn more about her extraordinary life.

Leonarda, Isabella (1620–1704)

Italian composer. Born into a noble family on September 6, 1620, in Novara, Italy; died... Read On at: https://bit.ly/WoVChoralArts

Featuring the breathtaking setting of the "Magnificat" of Ursuline Nun Isabella Leonarda and the shimmering contemporary setting of the "Nunc Dimittis" by Curtis Institute graduate Chelsea Komschlies, Choral Arts Philadelphia explores the force of full chorus, baroque orchestra, and soloists in this display of Women of Valor on February 16th & 20th, 2022.
For More Information: https://www.choralarts.com/womenofvalor.html

Due to positive COVID testing within the production and for the safety and wellness of our musicians and audiences, we have canceled the New Year's Eve Bach Celebration on Dec 31st, 4PM.

We want to thank the musicians and staff who worked on this concert and look forward to a time when we can all celebrate, safely, in the future.

What happened to 2021? We couldn't be more thrilled with the return to LIVE performance and can't wait to CELEBRATE this year with YOU! Don't miss your chance to celebrate with us and Bach's Weihsnacht-Oratorium, BWV 248!
https://www.choralarts.com/nye.html

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Donate Today and your gift will be matched! That means YOU can help us grow our audiences, uncover new works, support the vibrant music community, and create unforgettable experiences for all!
https://choralarts.networkforgood.com/projects/148382-matching-gifts-2021