Why we chose it: Boston Choral Festival
Executive Director Nick Adams:
Last winter, Operations Manager Kripa Joseph and I were riding in my car between site visits. We’d just seen a hip, bohemian venue in Back Bay, and the thought crossed my mind: what if we create an experience where high school singers could share the concert experience with us?
With some reservation, I said it out loud, and much to my surprise, she responded with an enthusiastic “yes, I love that!”
And with that, the Boston Choral Festival was born, and within an hour, we were pitching the idea to Music Director Noah Horn.
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Cantata Singers first concert was on November 15, 1964. We’ve been at this for 60 years. That’s worth celebrating. And with this festival concert we have planned on October 25, we’ll do just that. Except that we’ll do it with about 100 additional high school singers, pulled from various programs around the Greater Boston area. Buckle up, everyone… this ought to be fun.
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You might be asking, “Why Monteverdi? Why the Vespers?”
Monteverdi was essentially a rockstar of his time. Imagine a composer who pushed the boundaries of what music could be, blending sacred and secular styles in a way that was both daring and ethereal. Baroque Beyoncé? Perhaps. And the Vespers? It’s his masterpiece, a breathtaking collection of choral works that spans the gamut of human emotion.
But what makes this piece so special? It’s a perfect storm of innovation and tradition. Monteverdi masterfully weaves together ancient Gregorian chant with the fiery passion of the newly emerging opera style. It’s like a musical time traveler, transporting you from the serene contemplation of the past to the dramatic excitement of the future.
But it’s not just only about the music. It’s about the experience. Imagine filling the Cyclorama with the sound of 150 voices, accompanied by the rich textures of our orchestra players. It’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. 17th-century Venice meets 21st-century South End.
Monteverdi’s Vespers has captivated audiences for centuries; we think it will do the same on October 25th.