This preview has been provided by Voices of A New Renaissance.
There is nothing like the ethereal sound of 12 perfectly blended voices, expressing joy and sorrow in a cappella song. The dual goals of Voices of a New Renaissance, the Triangle’s innovative new chamber choir, are to present exciting concerts of great choral music and to bring new audiences to the art form. In their Love and Loss concerts January 31 in Raleigh and February 1 in Durham, the ensemble will explore the range of human emotions–from the ecstasy of romantic love to the despair of loss and abandonment–in works by master composers of the Renaissance and Baroque, from Josquin and Tallis to Monteverdi and Purcell.
Composed of 12 of the best singers in the Triangle area, Voices of a New Renaissance is a fully professional chamber choir that offers varied programs of great choral music, from Gregorian chant to newly-composed works. The ensemble is led by Dr. Nathan Leaf, Director of Choral Activities at North Carolina State University.
VOANR’s debut concerts in September were enthusiastically received. The chamber choir is reaching new audiences for choral music by experimenting with nontraditional concert venues, shorter program lengths, and an approachable, interactive style of presentation. Voices of a New Renaissance funded their first season with a successful campaign on the popular “crowd funding” website Kickstarter that raised 118% of their goal.
The centerpieces of the Love and Loss program are Monteverdi’s stunning “Sestina” (Tears of the lover at the tomb of the beloved), Tallis’s beloved “If Ye Love Me” and “Lamentations of Jeremiah 1,” and Tomkins’ heart-rending “When David Heard.” The singers’ individual talents will be showcased in solo songs by Purcell and Charpentier, accompanied by nationally renowned harpsichordist Jennifer Streeter.
The Raleigh performance is hosted by Christ Episcopal Church’s Sacred Music on the Square concert series. The Durham concert will be a part of the Mallarmé Chamber Players’ second annual North Carolina H.I.P. (Historically Informed Performance) Music Festival. For more information, call 919-964-0090, send an email to info@voanr.com, or visit the Voices of a New Renaissance website, www.voanr.com.
Event Details
What: Love and Loss: Human Emotion put to voice
When and Where:
Friday, January 31
7:00 p.m.
Sacred Music on the Square
Christ Episcopal Church
120 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh
Saturday, February 1
7:00 p.m.
North Carolina H.I.P. Music Festival
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
82 Kimberly Drive, Durham
Suggested Donation: $20 regular admission; $15 seniors; $5 students
More information: info@voanr.com or 919-964-0090
Website: www.voanr.com
Program:
Traditional Chant — Ubi Caritas
Thomas Tallis – If Ye Love Me
Thomas Tallis – Lamentations of Jeremiah 1
Thomas Tomkins – When David Heard
Henry Purcell – Sweeter than Roses
Thomas Weelkes – Tan ta ra ran tan tant, cryes Mars
Thomas Weelkes – Four Arms, two necks, one wreathing
Henry Purcell – If Music Be the Food of Love
Claudio Monteverdi: Sestina (Lagrime d’Amante al Sepolcro dell’Amata)
Marc-Antoine Charpentier – Sans frayeur
Marc-Antoine Charpentier – Quoi rien ne peut vous arrêter?
Josquin des Prez – Mille regrets, allegez moy, baises moy, ma bouche rit
Pierre Passereau – Il est bel et bon
Henry Purcell – I attempt from love’s sickness
William Byrd – Is Love a Boy; Boy Pity Me
John Wilbye – Oft Have I vowed How Dearly I did Love Thee
Thomas Weelkes – Hark all ye lovely saints
ABOUT VOICES OF A NEW RENAISSANCE
Voices of a New Renaissance is a fully professional chamber choir in the Triangle, offering varied programs of great choral music, from Gregorian chant to newly-composed works. Composed of the area’s finest choral musicians and directed by Dr. Nathan Leaf, the group engages and inspires audiences through the power of exceptional choral music, approachable concert formats, and exciting vocal artistry.
919-964-0090 | www.voanr.com | info@voanr.com
