Artistic Director Christian Grube will lead the Chorale, soloists, and orchestra in a work that probes the depths of grief and despair and reaches the heights of joy, the German Requiem. “German” refers to the language of the Biblical passages that make up the text, but Brahms wrote to a friend that he would rather have “Human” in the title. This is a work of masterful musical contrasts, profound in its meditation on our finite time on this earth yet filled with hope and trust in eternal life. Truly, it is music for all humanity.
Two renowned Bay Area soloists will join the Chorale for these concerts.
Soprano Jennifer Paulino has frequently performed with the Santa Cruz Chorale, as well as with the California Bach Society and the San Francisco Choral Society; she has also performed at the Carmel Bach Festival and internationally. One reviewer in San Diego found it “impossible to resist the bright gleam and supple phrasing of soprano Jennifer Paulino’s aria…”
Baritone Daniel Cilli, who has performed leading roles with the San Jose Opera, San Francisco Opera, and the Baltimore Symphony with Marin Alsop, will for the first time join the Santa Cruz Chorale in this performance. A rave review in Opera News praised Cilli’s “vocal authority, attractive tone and strong stage presence.”
The Chorale, in its 41st performing season, will once again be joined by the Monterey Bay Sinfonietta. The ensemble, this time composed of a string quintet and a wind quintet, is, in the words of Conductor Grube, “a joy to work with,” and their exceptional musicianship greatly enriches the Chorale performances.