The glistening tension of cascading diminished fifths, augmented fourths, and other ways of saying “tritone” will fill two halls this weekend as the combined vocal expertise of four choral groups takes on Benjamin Britten‘s challenging War Requiem.
Rarely performed, this ambitious collaboration of the Monterey Chamber Orchestra, the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, Cantiamo!, Cabrillo Chorale, and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus—one hundred+ voices—performs a piece Britten composed to honor the re-dedication of England’s Coventry Cathedral. Heavily bombed during WWII, the cathedral became a symbol of spiritual hope against all odds. Britten, one of the masters of modern symphonic composition, used poems by World War I pacifist Wilfred Owen set to key moments of the traditional requiem mass.
In this masterwork, war and peace drive the words and music of loss, despair, hope, and ultimately consolation.
It is a thundering, whispering, utterly difficult and gorgeous piece of music—and under the guiding genius of Cabrillo’s Cheryl Anderson, the choirs are up to the challenge. All you have to do is show up and be moved to tears. Tenor Jake Williams and soprano Tanya Harris are among the soloists sure to create lasting impressions.
The War Requiem by Benjamin Britten – under the direction of John Anderson – Saturday April 27 8pm at the Sunset Center in Carmel; Sunday April 28 7pm at the Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College in Aptos.
Cabrillo College Box Office — 831.479-6154.
Thanks for putting this up, Christina! As a singer in Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, I can say it’s one of the most challenging and rewarding pieces I’ve ever performed. I hope folks will come out to be part of this special event. One note: I understand that the Sunday performance at Cabrillo is sold out, so those interested in hearing this rarely-performed masterwork should come to the Sunset Center tonight. (sunsetcenter.org)