Pacific Chorale, Announces Bold And Dynamic Programming For 2023-2024 Season
The Grammy Award-winning chorus, led by Artistic Director Robert Istad, marks its 56th season with five eclectic programs.
By: A.A. Cristi Jul. 07, 2023
Pacific Chorale, celebrated for its artistic innovation and compelling performances, announces a range of bold and dynamic programming for the 2023-24 season, showcasing the sublime power of the human voice raised in song.
A regional and national leader in the choral arts, the Grammy Award-winning chorus, led by Artistic Director Robert Istad, marks its 56th season with five eclectic programs of captivating choral masterworks and contemporary works at three Orange County venues: the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach, and Meng Concert Hall on the Campus of Cal State Fullerton. The chorus also makes a total of five guest appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pacific Symphony.
Istad says, “The music of Pacific Chorale's 2023-2024 season immerses us in stories, asks questions, and opens hard, important conversations: About the silencing of women's voices (Richard Einhorn's Voices of Light / The Passion of Joan of Arc). About the beauty and fragility of our planet and its creatures (Sarah Kirkland Snider's Mass for the Endangered). About the tenuous place of the Jewish people among the nations (Bernstein's Chichester Psalms). It's music filled with emotion and exuberance that inspires, dares, and uplifts.”
The season launches with Voices of Light / The Passion of Joan of Arc, a spectacular cinematic event featuring Richard Einhorn's “brilliantly effective” (Washington Post) 1994 oratorio inspired by and performed live to director Carl Dreyer's 1928 silent film masterpiece, The Passion of Joan of Arc. Einhorn's evocative work, written for orchestra, chorus and soloists, provides a haunting backdrop to the restored version of Dreyer's cinematic tour de force, considered by many critic s to be among the greatest films ever made. Thought to have been lost in a warehouse fire, a single print of the film was discovered in a janitor's closet of a Norwegian mental institution in 1981, which “was digitally restored to pristine condition” (Bright Lights Film Journal). The film, based on the actual 15th century transcripts of St. Joan's trial for heresy, portrays her trial and execution. Dressed as a boy, she led French troops in a defeat against British occupiers during the Hundred Years' War, but was later captured and tried by French clergy loyal to the British and condemned to death by burning at the stake for her belief that she was spurred to action by religious visions. Of Renée Maria Falconetti's portrayal of Joan of Arc, the late renowned film critic Pauline Kael decreed, “It may be the finest performance ever recorded on film.” The featured soloists are Pacific Chorale members Alexandria Burdick, soprano; Rebecca Hasquet, soprano; Stephanie Shepson, mezzo-soprano; Jane Hyun-Jung Shim, mezzo-soprano; Jason Francisco, tenor; and Fernando Muñoz, bass. (Saturday, October 7, 2023, 7:30 pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.)
Pacific Chorale's stellar chamber choir showcases a different side of the chorus' distinctive artistry with “Language of Love,” an intimate evening of sublime love songs, including a selection of treasured Broadway tunes, dazzling vocal jazz, inspiring choral music, and cabaret-style solos. Among the featured works is a rare complete performance of Morten Lauridsen's Les Chansons des Roses, his masterful setting of Rilke's exquisite love poetry hailed as “celestial and spine-tingling” (International Review of Music). UK's Daily Express decreed, “contemporary choral music doesn't come any better than this.” (Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm, Meng Concert Hall, CSU Fullerton.)
The season finale embraces hope with three disparate emotional works that inspire listeners to action. Istad conducts Sarah Kirkland Snider's riveting Mass for the Endangered, a contemporary rumination on the traditional Catholic Mass with original text by Nathaniel Bellows that speaks to our delicate relationship to the planet's wildlife. “A passionate paean to nature… the work proclaims Snider's technical command and unerring knack for breathtaking beauty” (The New Yorker). The program also includes Holst's crystalline Psalm 148, for chorus, organ and orchestra, and Bernstein's spirited and life affirming Chichester Psalms, an appeal for brotherhood and peace. (Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 7:30 pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.)
Additionally, Pacific Chorale rings in the season with its signature mix of reverent and joyous holiday programming.
“Carols by Candlelight” offers timeless traditional and contemporary holiday music with singers illuminated by flickering candlelight for this distinctive seasonal program. (Saturday, December 2, 8:00 pm, and Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 8:00 pm, Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport Beach.)
Pacific Chorale's delightful family favorite “Tis the Season!” – one of Orange County's beloved Yuletide traditions – caps the holidays with back-to-back concerts delivering festive musical cheer and delightful sonic wonder with festive carols, seasonal gems, and a visit from The Man in Red, Santa Claus. (Sunday, December 17, 5:00 pm, and Monday, December 18, 2023, 7:30 pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.)
Pacific Chorale President and CEO Andrew Brown says, “Pacific Chorale has flourished for nearly six decades, filling a vital artistic role in Orange County and beyond. The range and scope of our programming speaks to the tremendous talent of our gifted singers. We are grateful to the dedicated leadership of Pacific Chorale's Board of Directors, the generosity of our donors and volunteer singers, and our ardent audience members whose tremendous support enables Pacific Chorale's artistic excellence to shine.”
In addition to presenting its own concert series, Pacific Chorale makes a guest appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, performing Holst's The Planets conducted by Karen Kamensek at the Hollywood Bowl (September 12, 2023). The choir also joins Pacific Symphony for four programs at the Reneé and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. They include Handel's Messiah conducted by Justo Valdés (December 3, 2023); and three presentations under the baton of Carl St.Clair – A Lunar New Year program (February 10, 2024); Puccini's La Bohème (April 4-9, 2024); and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, “Choral,” and Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna (June 6-9, 2024).
Season tickets are available in packages of 3 to 5 concerts, ranging in price from $66 to $525. Single tickets to individual performances, beginning at $25, go on sale on Monday, August 28, 2023. For tickets and information, visit www.pacificchorale.org or call 714-662-2345.
PACIFIC CHORALE 2023-2024 SEASON
Voices of Light / The Passion of Joan of Arc
An Oratorio with Silent Film
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Pacific Symphony Strings
Alexandria Burdick, soprano
Rebecca Hasquet, soprano
Stephanie Shepson, mezzo
Jane Hyun-Jung Shim, mezzo
Jason Francisco, tenor
Fernando Muñoz, bass
Film Projection
Film Director: Carl Dreyer
Music: Richard Einhorn
Carols by Candlelight
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport Beach
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Piano & Guest Instrumentalists
Timeless traditional and contemporary seasonal repertoire
Tis the Season!
Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Members of Pacific Symphony
Southern California Children's Chorus
The Man in Red, Santa!
A family-friendly program replete with festive carols, holiday favorites and a visit from The Man in Red, Santa Claus
Language of Love
Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Meng Concert Hall, CSU Fullerton
Robert Istad, conductor
Members of Pacific Chorale
Instrumental jazz trio
Morten LAURIDSEN Les Chansons des Roses
+ a mix of Broadway's best-loved music, vocal jazz, inspiring choral music, and cabaret-style solos
Chichester Psalms
Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Pacific Symphony
Sarah Kirkland SNIDER Mass for the Endangered
HOLST Psalm 148
BERNSTEIN Chichester Psalms
VENUE ADDRESSES:
Meng Concert Hall, CSU Fullerton
800 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92831
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
2100 Mar Vista Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Season subscriptions available; single tickets, beginning at $25, go on sale August 28, 2023
www.pacificchorale.org pr call 714-662-2345. Artists, dates, programs and venues subject to change.
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