Seasons in Harmony - January 2014
Chromatica, the San Ramon Valley based classical and modern music chorus, will perform two concerts in early February: at 7pm on February 1 in Clayton at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, and at 7 pm on February 2 at Beth Chaim Congregation, 1800 Holbrook Drive, Danville.
Chromatica was founded in 2011 and now includes 26 men and women singers. It performed its first ticketed concerts in June this year, attracting large and enthusiastic audiences. Directed by David Huff, an outstanding director and operatic tenor who has sung both in New York and San Francisco and accompanied by Julie Rieth, it seeks to perform challenging pieces at a high level of professionalism. Entrance to Chromatica is by audition.
Chromatica's February concerts will include music by Benjamin Britten, one of the greatest composers of the 20th century whose centenary is being celebrated this year. His Rejoice in the Lamb is a particularly fascinating setting of a poem by Christopher Smart, an 18th century English writer. The program will also include works by Offenbach and Gounod, both celebrated operatic composers. Jean Berger's A Song of Seasons! is a multi-part piece that celebrates the annual calendar. Following the same theme is Ruth Schram's Seasons Come, Seasons Go. Also included is a piece by Brian Lewis based on a Robert Burns poem titled A Red, Red Rose.
Tickets can be purchased through the Chromatica website at www.chromaticachorale.org.
Program
- Benham — As Kingfishers Catch Fire
- Berger — A Song of Seasons
- Britten — Rejoice in the Lamb
- Brownsey — When Autumn Falls
- Dickau — Spring Carol
- Farnell — The April Rainbow
- Gounod — Soldiers' Chorus (from Faust)
- Gray — How Like a Winter
- Lewis — A Red, Red Rose
- Offenbach — Neighbors' Chorus (from La Jolie Parfumeuse)
- Schram — Seasons Come, Seasons Go