Haydn: Seven Last Words Featuring a collaboration between Seraphic Fire and the Spektral Quartet April 9th - 18th, 2014 Seraphic Fire’s Chicago performance of Haydn: Seven Last Words is made possible through a generous grant by The Clinton Family Fund, Bruce and Martha Clinton. Program

Wednesday, April 9, 2014 St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Miami Thursday, April 10, 2014 St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton Friday, April 11, 2014 First United Methodist Church, Coral Gables Saturday, April 12, 2014 All Saints Episcopal Church, Fort Lauderdale Sunday, April 13, 2014 All Souls Episcopal Church, Miami Beach Wednesday, April 16, 2014 Rockefeller Chapel, Chicago, IL Sunday, April 18, 2014 Lawrence Memorial Chapel, Appleton, WI

The Seven Last Words of Christ Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) i. Introduzione ii. No. 1 Vater, vergib ihnen iii. No. 2 Fürwahr, ich sag es dir iv. No. 3 Frau, hier siehe deinen Sohn v. No. 4 Mein Gott, mein Gott vi. Introduzione vii. No. 5 rufet: Ach, mich dürstet! viii. No. 6 Es ist vollbracht! ix. No. 7 Vater, in deine Hände x. Il Terremoto, Er ist nicht mehr

Seraphic Fire Patrick Dupré Quigley, Founder and Artistic Director

Spektral Quartet Aurelien Fort Pederzoli, violin Austin Wulliman, violin Doyle Armbrust, viola Russell Rolen, cello

7 Text and Translations

The Seven Last Words of Christ Franz Joseph Haydn

No. 1 Vater, vergib ihnen Vater, vergib ihnen, denn sie wissen nicht, Father, forgive them, for they know not what was sie tun. they do.

Vater im Himmel, Father from heaven, o sieh hernieder vom ewigen Thron! Look down from your eternal throne! Vater der Liebe, dein Eingeborner, Loving Father, your only begotten Son er fleht für Sünder, für deine Kinder, prays for sinners, for your children, erhöre den Sohn! grant the prayer of your Son! Ach, wir sind tief gefallen, Alas, we have fallen from grace, wir sündigten schwer; we have grievously sinned, doch allen zum Heil, uns allen, but for us all and for our salvation floss deines Sohnes Blut. your Son has shed his blood. Das Blut des Lamms schreit nicht um Rach’; The blood of the Lamb does not cry out for es tilgt die Sünden. vengeance; it redeems our sins. Vater der Liebe, lass uns Gnade finden, Loving Father, let us find grace, erhöre den Sohn! grant the prayer of your Son! O Vater, o Vater, erhöre den Sohn! O Father, o Father, hear your Son!

No. 2 Fürwahr, ich sag es dir Fürwahr, ich sag es dir: Heute wirst du bei mir Truly, I say unto you: today you will be with im Paradiese sein. me in Paradise.

Ganz Erbarmen, Gnad’ und Liebe, Full of mercy, grace and love, bist du Mittler, Gotteslamm. you are the mediator, the Lamb of God. Kaum ruft jener reuig auf zu dir: If he but calls to you, full of remorse: Wenn du kommest when you enter in dein Reich, ach, so denke mein! into your kingdom, alas, think of me! So versprichst du ihm voll Milde: To him you did promise, full of pity: Heut wirst du bei mir im Paradiese sein. today you shall be with me in Paradise. Herr und Gott! Blick auf uns! Lord God! Look upon us! Sieh an deines Kreuzes Fuße See at the foot of your Cross unsre wahre Reu` und Buße! our true remorse and repentance! Sieh, o Vater, unsere Reue! O Father, see our remorse! Gib uns auch zur letzten Grant us in our final hour Stunde jenen Tost aus deinem Munde: that consolation from your lips: Heut wirst du bei mir im Paradiese sein. today you shall be with me in Paradise.

No. 3 Frau, hier siehe deinen Sohn Frau, hier siehe deinen Sohn, und du, siehe Woman, behold your son, and you, behold your deine Mutter! mother !

Mutter Jesu, die du trostlos, weinend, Mother of Jesus, weeping in despair, seufzend bei dem Kreuze standst standing and sighing by the Cross,

8 Text and Translations und die Qualen seines Leidens in der Stund’ des and in the hour of bitter parting, bittern Scheidens the torments of his suffering siebenfach in dir empfandst. you did feel in sevenfold measure. Kaum mehr fähig, dich zu fassen, Barely conscious in your anguish, und doch standhaft und gelassen, nimmst als yet ever steadfast and composed, Sohn den treuen Jünger you did take as your son the faithful disciple und mit ihm auch uns als Kinder an. and did take all of us as your children. Mutter Jesu, o du Zuflucht aller Sünder, Mother of Jesus, refuge of all sinners, hör das Flehen deiner Kinder. hear the plea of your children. O du Zuflucht aller Sünder Refuge of all sinners, Steh uns bei im letzten Streit, Be with us in our final throes, Mutter voll der Zärtlichkeit. Mother full of tenderness. O steh uns allen bei! O be our relief! Wenn wir mit dem Tode ringen When with death we struggle und aus dem beklemmter Herzen And the sighs of our fearful hearts unsre Seufzer zu dir dringen, are sent aloft to you, lass uns, Mutter, lass uns da nicht unterliegen! let us not, Mother, let us not succumb! Hilf uns dann den Feind besiegen Help us to overcome the enemy und steh uns bei im letzten Streit! and be with us in our final throes! Wenn wir mit dem Tode ringen, When at last with death we struggle, o da zeige dich als Mutter show us that you are our Mother und empfehl uns deinem Sohn, o Mutter! And intercede for us with your Son.

No. 4 Mein Gott, mein Gott Mein Gott, mein Gott, warum hast du mich My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken verlassen? me?

Warum hast du mich verlassen? Why have you forsaken me? Wer sieht hier der Gottheit Spur? Who can see God’s work in this? Wer? Wer kann fassen dies Geheimnis? Who can grasp the mystery? O Gott der Kraft, O God of strength and might, o Gott der Macht und Stärke, O God of might and power, wir sind deiner Hände Werke, We are the works of your hand, und deine Lieb, o Herr, hat uns erlöst. and your love, O Lord, has redeemed us. O Herr, wir danken dir von Herzen. Unserwe- O Lord, we thank you from our hearts. gen littst du Schmerzen, For our sakes you did suffer pain, Spott, Verlassung, Angst und Pein. Mockery, abandonment, fear and torment. Herr, wer sollte dich nicht lieben Who could fail to love you, Lord, dich mit Sünden noch betrüben? who could sadden you with sin? Wer kann deine Huld verkennen? Who could deny your grace? Nein, nichts soll uns von dir trennen, No, nothing will part us from you, allhier und dort in Ewigkeit. Here and in eternity.

9

Text and Translations

No. 5 Jesus rufet: Ach, mich dürstet! Jesus rufet: Ach, mich dürstet! Jesus said: Alas, I thirst!

Hemmt nun die Rache, stillt eure Wut! Curb your vengeance, calm your anger! Menschen, lasset Mitleid euch erweichen, Men, let pity soften you, ruft Erbarmung in das Herz! summon mercy to your hearts. Jesus rufet: Ach, mich dürstet! Jesus said: Alas, I thirst! Ihm reicht man Wein, They give him wine to drink den man mit Galle mischet. mingled with gall, So labt man ihn. that is how they refresh him. Kann Grausamkeit noch weiter gehn? Can cruelty be harsher? Nun kann er nicht mehr fassen Now he can no longer endure den Schmerz, der ihn allmächtig drückt, the pain, that pushes him to God den Schmerz, der Wohltun war. the pain, of all his good deeds.

Text and Translations

No. 6 Es ist vollbracht! Es ist vollbracht! It is finished.

An das Opferholz geheftet, Nailed to the tree of sacrifice, hanget Jesus in der Nacht; Jesus hangs throughout the night, und dann ruft er laut: then he loudly cries: Es ist vollbracht. It is finished. Was uns jenes Holz geschadet, The harm done to us by that tree wird durch dieses gut gemacht. is redeemed by this. Weh euch Bösen, Woe to you evil ones, weh euch Blinden, weh euch allen, woe to you who are blind, woe to you all, die ihr Sünden immer häuft auf Sünden! who pile sins upon on another! Menschen, denket nach! World, consider what has been done! Werdet ihr Erbarmung finden, Will you find mercy wenn er kommt in when he comes in seiner Herrlichkeit und seiner Macht? his majesty and power? Rett uns, Mittler, vom Verderben! Save us, our mediator, from damnation! Höre, Gottmensch, unser Schrein! Hear our cries, God-made-man! Lass dein Leiden und dein Sterben Let not your suffering and death nicht an uns verloren sein. be for nothing because of us. Lass uns einst den Himmel erben Let us some day inherit Heaven und mit dir uns ewig freun. and eternally rejoice with you.

No. 7 Vater, in deine Hände Vater, in deine Hände Father, into your hands empfehle ich meinen Geist. I commend my spirit.

In deine Händ’, o Herr, Into your hands, O Lord, empfehl ich meinen Geist. I commend my spirit. Nun steigt sein Leiden höher nicht, Now his sufferings can increase no more, nun triumphiert er laut und spricht: now he triumphs loudly and says: nimm, Vater, meine Seele. Father, take my soul, Dir empfehl ich meinen Geist. to you I commend my spirit. Und dann neigt er sein Haupt und stirbt. And then he bows his head and dies, Vom ewigen Verderben From everlasting damnation hat uns sein Blut errettet; His blood has redeemed us: aus Liebe für uns Menschen, For his love for all mankind, aus Liebe starb er den Tod der Sünder. for his love He died a sinner’s death. Du gabst uns neues Leben; You gave us new life, was können wir dir geben? What can we give to you? Zu deinen Füßen liegen wir, At your feet, O Jesus, o Jesu, tief geruhrt, deeply moved we lie, Nimm unser Herz alls Opfer an! accept our hearts in sacrifice!

10 Text and Translations

Il Terremoto, Er ist nicht mehr Er ist nicht mehr. He has departed.

Er ist nicht mehr! He has departed. Der Erde Tiefen schallen wider: The depths of the earth resound: Er ist nicht mehr! He has departed. Erzittre, Golgatha, erzittre! Terrible, Golgotha, terrible! Er starb auf deinen Höhen. He died upon your summit. O Sonne, fleuch O, sun, be gone und leuchte diesem Tage nicht! and light this day no more! Zerreiße, zerreiße, Land, Tear, tear, the land worauf die Mörder stehen! on which the murderers stand. Ihr Gräber, tut euch auf, Graves, open up, ihr Väter, steigt ans Licht! fathers, rise up into the light: Das Erdreich, das euch deckt, The earth which covers you ist ganz mit Blut befleckt. is all stained with blood.

11 About Seraphic Fire

Entering its second decade, Seraphic Fire is Seraphic Fire’s artistic accomplishments have widely regarded as one of the most important translated to chart-topping album sales. In vocal ensembles in the United States. Led by the summer of 2010, Seraphic Fire’s recording Founder and Artistic Director Patrick Dupré of Monteverdi’s Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Quigley, Seraphic Fire brings the best ensemble (1610) reached the number one position singers from around the country to perform on the iTunes classical music charts. The repertoire ranging from to ensemble’s GRAMMY®-nominated recording newly commissioned works. This past year, the of Brahms: Ein Deutsches debuted at ensemble’s recordings Brahms: Ein Deutsches #7 on Billboard Magazine’s Classical charts, Requiem and A Seraphic Fire Christmas were and Seraphic Fire’s newest Christmas album, of nominated for two 2012 GRAMMY® awards. which NPR’s Morning Edition proclaims “the Seraphic Fire was the only in North singing is just fabulous; this group has a really or South America to be nominated, and the excellent blend,” broke into the top ten on the only classical ensemble in the world to be iTunes Classical charts on day of its release. nominated for two separate projects. Seraphic Fire has just signed a three-year In addition to a critically-acclaimed chamber partnership deal with Naxos of America to choir, the organization has established Firebird distribute Seraphic Fire Media. Seraphic Fire Chamber Orchestra, which collaborates with is represented worldwide by Columbia Artists Seraphic Fire on choral-orchestral masterworks Management, Inc. as well as independent concerts of orchestral repertoire. The orchestra, like the chorus, is made up of top-tier performers from around the country.

Seraphic Fire’s Mission

Seraphic Fire aims to present high-quality performances of under-performed music with cultural significance. Simultaneously, Seraphic Fire encourages the occupational advancement of musicians by providing a forum for the development and presentation of their talents, and promotes community well-being through musical education programs.

4 Patrick Dupré Quigley American conductor Patrick Dupré Quigley is Patrick has been lauded as an adept arts at the vanguard of a new generation of young entrepreneur and a savvy institution builder. Baroque specialists: completely at ease at the In ten seasons, Patrick has grown Seraphic helm of the modern symphony orchestra Fire & the Firebird Chamber Orchestra into while still able to create the passionate, a vibrant, cutting-edge arts organization— distinctive stylings of the Baroque sound. The mounting acclaimed performances of Founder and Artistic Director of Seraphic Baroque mainstays, introducing new work Fire and the Firebird Chamber Orchestra, he and exploring under-performed treasures has been described by the Miami Herald as, with equal success.

“A musician with a constellation of qualities Patrick is the recipient of the 2004 Robert rarely found in a single conductor: an Shaw Conducting Fellowship, given annually enthusiastic and audience-friendly personal by the National Endowment for the Arts and style, a scholar’s instinct for rooting out Chorus America to one conductor between obscure but worthy music, a scrupulous and the ages of 25 and 40 who demonstrates historically informed approach to works that the potential for a significant professional span a wide range of musical periods, an career. At 26, Patrick was the youngest ability to bring out the best in his talented person to receive this award. Most recently, platoon... and a showman’s canny sense of He was awarded Chorus America’s 2011 how to appeal to audiences.” Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, recognizing his artistic Patrick was nominated for two 2012 and institution-building achievements with GRAMMY® awards for his work with Seraphic Fire. Patrick has been a featured Seraphic Fire: Best Choral Performance for guest on National Public Radio’s All Things Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, and Best Considered and is a sought-after speaker and Small Ensemble Performance for A Seraphic consultant regarding arts entrepreneurship. Fire Christmas. He was the only conductor in the world to be nominated for two Patrick received his M.Mus. in conducting separate projects, and Seraphic Fire was the from the Yale School of Music, his B.A. in only choir in North and South America to musicology from the University of Notre receive a nomination. Under his direction, Dame, and is Seraphic Fire has released eleven recordings a graduate of on the Seraphic Fire Media label, with two the Indiana additional recordings forthcoming this year. University In the past three years, Seraphic Fire has had Center on albums enter the top ten on both the Billboard Philanthropy’s and iTunes classical charts—including the Fundraising ensemble’s 2010 release of Monteverdi’s Vespers School. of the Blessed Virgin (1610), which reached the number one position on the iTunes classical music charts.

2012 saw Patrick making guest appearances with the San Francisco Symphony’s Community of Music Makers series, Cincinnati’s professional Vocal Arts Ensemble, and two separate appearances with the San Antonio Symphony. With Seraphic Fire, Patrick will conduct over 60 performances across the United States.

5 Spektral Quartet

Founded in 2010, the Spektral Quartet is record and make available to the public for widely regarded as one of Chicago’s leading download to mobile devices. chamber ensembles specializing in new music. Now in its fourth season, the quartet serves In addition to its coaching duties at the as ensemble-in-residence at the University of University of Chicago, the Spektral Quartet Chicago and is about to unveil the second of presents dynamic workshops and masterclasses three full-length albums recorded this year. at institutions such as Northwestern University, The University of Wisconsin at Since its inception, the Spektral Quartet Milwaukee, Illinois State University and has sought out the discourse between the Lawrence University. In 2014, the quartet is masterworks of the traditional canon and invited to join the Rush Hour Series’ Back- those written this decade, this year, or this of-the-Yards project, which will offer year- week. Rather than simply pairing Brian long music education and outreach in one of Ferneyhough with Josef Haydn or Thomas Chicago’s most under-served neighborhoods. Adès with Béla Bartók, though, the group offers listeners an even more elastic and The 2013/14 season saw the launch of the absorbing experience through its Sampler Spektral Quartet’s debut album, Chambers Pack concert format. For these performances, (Parlour Tapes+). Featuring new works a regular fixture of the quartet’s seasons, by Chicago composers Marcos Balter, shorter works and single movements are Eliza Brown, Chris Fisher-Lochhead, Ben curated in a setlist containing a menagerie Hjertmann, Hans Thomalla and Liza White, of musical styles, spanning centuries. The Chambers is emblematic of the quartet’s unexpected similarities and enticing contrasts insatiable appetite for new work and an between two or three composers becomes a affirmation of the quality of composition conversation between twelve. emanating from the city today. The ensemble’s second album, a Latin jazz collaboration with The 2013/14 season finds the group venturing bandoneon/accordion virtuoso Julien Labro into another bold endeavor at the intersection is slated for release in May 2014 on Azica of music and everyday life with Mobile Records. In November of 2013, the Spektral Miniatures. For it, forty composers from Quartet traveled to Switzerland and France across the US including David Lang, Augusta to perform and record Ernest Chausson’s Read Thomas, Nico Muhly and Shulamit Ran Concerto for violin, piano and string quartet, were commissioned to write ringtone-length Op. 21 with violinist Rachel Kolly d’Alba and pieces for the Spektral Quartet to workshop, pianist Christian Chamorel for the Warner Classics label.

6 Musician Biographies

James K. Bass, bass-baritone, is director of choral studies in the School of Music at the University of South Florida and the artistic director of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. James was selected by the master conductor of the Amsterdam Baroque Soloists, Ton Koopman, to be one of only 20 singers for a presentation of Cantatas by J.S. Bach in , and was an auditioned member of ’s workshop choir at Carnegie. He has prepared for Sir Colin Davis, Sir David Willcocks, Jahja Ling, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerard Schwarz, Giancarlo Guerrero and Robert Shaw among others. James received the doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Miami– Florida, where he was a doctoral fellow.

John Buffett, baritone, has sung with the companies of Utah, Sarasota, Utah Festival Opera, The Boston Early Music Festival, the Ohio Light Opera and Eastman Opera Theater. On the concert stage he has performed with the symphonies of Utah, San Antonio, and Syracuse, the Rochester Philharmonic, Apollo’s Fire, Ars Lyrica and the Mark Morris Dance Group. Other career highlights include appearances at the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Mostly Mozart Festival at .

Megan Chartrand, soprano, feels equally at home singing early music, art song, chamber music, and choral repertoire. Her 2013-14 season will bring her première at the Lincoln Center, singing Dalilah in Handel’s Samson with the American Classical Orchestra, and back to her home province of Alberta as the soprano soloist in Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis with Luminous Voices. This is Megan’s first season singing with Seraphic Fire. An avid chorister, she has sung numerous concerts with professional choirs throughout Canada and the United States including Pro Coro Canada, Scona Chamber Singers and the Yale Schola Cantorum. Highlights of previous seasons include Handel and Mozart arias with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Handel’s Crudel Tiranno Amor with the Alberta Baroque Ensemble, Eve in Haydn’s Die Schöpfung and Bach’s B Minor with Yale Schola Cantorum.

12 Musician Biographies

Amanda Crider, mezzo-soprano, has sung with numerous opera companies across the US including the Opera, City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Boston, Opera Omaha, Des Moines Metro Opera, Anchorage Opera, Gotham Chamber Opera, and Eugene Opera. She has also appeared as a soloist with ensembles including Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Symphony, New World Symphony, Apollo’s Fire, Bach Festival Society of Florida, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and the International Contemporary Ensemble. Amanda has been a prize winner and finalist in many competitions, including the José Iturbi International Voice Competition, Jensen Foundation Voice Competition, Joy in Singing Debut Artist Competition, Connecticut Opera Guild Competition, Shreveport Opera Singer of the Year Competition, Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, Oratorio Society of New York Vocal Competition, Center for Contemporary Opera Competition, and is a recipient of a Richard F. Gold Career Grant from the Shoshana Foundation.

Mela Dailey, soprano, has command of both her instrument and the stage: the 2005 National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Winner in Woman’s Voice, 2005 District Winner and Mid-South Regional Finalist, 2006 International Opera Singer Competition Finalist, 2007 Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition Career Encouragement Grant Winner, a Rosenblatt Award winner of the 2006 Connecticut Opera Guild Young Artist Competition, and 2007 GRAMMY® Award nominee. Mela (mee-la) has received recognition in a wide variety of musical genres including opera, oratorio, art song, musical theater, vocal jazz, , country, and popular music.

Brad Diamond, tenor, is equally adept in the genres of opera, oratorio and song literature. Brad has presented over 400 solo vocal performances in works by Cavalli, Monteverdi, Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Rossini, Berlioz, Orff, Bartok, Janacek and Britten with symphony orchestras and opera companies across North America and Europe. He completed his bachelor of music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ in 1991. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music between 1993 and 2004. Brad currently holds the position of assistant professor of Voice at the University of South Florida.

13 Musician Biographies

Charles Wesley Evans, baritone, has been applauded by The New York Times for his “elegant and mellifluous tones” and as “the peak of the night’s solo work” by the Miami Herald. With a range of genres spanning from baroque to jazz and R&B, he has performed with The Trinity Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Clarion Choir, TENET Ensemble, Conspirare, Berkshire Baroque, Princeton Pro Musica, San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Valley Philharmonic and the Dryden Ensemble. Charles earned his bachelor of music from Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, Ga., with further study at the Boston Conservatory and Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Estelí Gomez, soprano, is quickly gaining recognition as a stylish interpreter of early and contemporary repertoires. She has been praised for her “clear, bright voice” (The New York Times) and “artistry that belies her young years” (Kansas City Metropolis). In 2011, Estelí was awarded first prize in the Canticum Gaudium International Early Music Vocal Competition in Poznań, Poland, and returned in 2012 as soprano soloist for Handel’s Messiah in the 10th International Festival of Boy Choirs. An avid performer of early and new music, Estelí can be heard on the JUNO-nominated recording Salsa Baroque with Montreal- based Ensemble Caprice, as well as the self-titled debut album of new music vocal octet Roomful of Teeth, for which composer Caroline Shaw was awarded the 2013 Pulitzer Prize. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Estelí received her bachelor of arts with honors in music from Yale College, and master of music from McGill University, studying with Sanford Sylvan. She currently travels and performs full-time. (esteligomez.com)

Sara Guttenberg, soprano, sings with professional choirs across the United States. Notable accomplishments include solos with the Oregon Bach Festival and a featured ensemble solo on the Grammy-winning recording of Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Sara is on the voice and choral conducting faculty at Southern Utah University.

14 Musician Biographies

Patrick Muehleise, tenor, is rapidly gaining attention in the US as a versatile performer in both operatic and concert repertoire. Currently based in Chicago, Patrick collaborates with companies throughout the country, such as the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Spire Chamber Ensemble, Haymarket Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Chicago Arts Orchestra, and the Tucson Chamber Artists. His recent engagements include Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Mozart’s Mass in C minor and , Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Handel’s Messiah, Copland’s The Tender Land, and Britten’s Albert Herring. This season will include performances of David Lang’s Little Match Girl Passion with Bella Voce Camerata, Wagner’s Parsifal with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Bach’s Magnificat, Haydn’s Creation, and Mozart’s Coronation Mass with Music of the Baroque.

Dan Moore, baritone, earned his bachelor of music at Temple University where he studied voice with renowned baritones Dr. William Stone and bass-baritone Eric Owens. He is currently pursuing a master of music at where he is also a member of the Institute of Sacred Music’s voice program in early music, oratorio and chamber ensemble, studying under tenor . Other than Seraphic Fire, Dan enjoys singing with such ensembles as St. Thomas 5th Ave Choir of Men and Boys, Yale Schola Cantorum, New Haven-based American Baroque Orchestra, and Spire Chamber Ensemble in Kansas City.

Jessica Petrus, soprano, has been praised for her “impressive clarity and color”(New York Times) and for her “brilliant, agile soprano”(San Diego Story). Highlights for her 2013-2014 season include solo and ensemble appearances with the Handel and Haydn Society, Yale Choral Artists, Tuscon Chamber Artists, Oratorio Chorale of Maine, The Broken Consort, Staunton Music Festival, Seraphic Fire, Central Virginia Chamber Music Society, Cantata Profana, and Skylark Vocal Ensemble. She is a graduate of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music’s Oratorio, Art Song, and Chamber Ensemble program and now lives in Cambridge, MA. www.jessicapetrus.com.

15 Musician Biographies

Angela Young Smucker, mezzo-soprano, has received critical acclaim for her “rich, secure mezzo-soprano” (Chicago Tribune) and “show-stopping” voice (The St. Paul Pioneer Press). Ms. Smucker continues to build a reputation for her “discerning interpretation” (SanDiego.com) of the works of J.S. Bach and is a recent Virginia Best Adams Master Class Fellow (Carmel Bach Festival). Highlights of the 2013-14 season include debut performances with Les Délices, New Comma Baroque, and Music of the Baroque, a world premiere of a new Robert Kyr composition paired with Bach’s under the baton of James Kallembach, and return appearances with the Haymarket Opera Company, Newberry Consort, Bach Collegium San Diego, Bella Voce, and Seraphic Fire. (www.mezzoangela.com)

Steven Soph, tenor, performs as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States. 2013 marked his Cleveland Symphony solo debut under Ton Koopman in an all-Handel program in Severance Hall. Recent highlights include: in Bach’s St. John Passion with Chicago Chorale, arias in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with Voices of Ascension, NYC, as well as with the Colorado Bach Ensemble, and Young American Artist performances with the City Choir of Washington D.C. Steven performs with Seraphic Fire, Conspirare, Yale Choral Artists, Musica Sacra, Tuscon Chamber Artists, Cut Circle, Spire, and Sounding Light. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and Yale School of Music.

16 Musician Biographies

Virginia Warnken, mezzo-soprano, is hailed by The New York Times as an “elegant,” “rich-toned alto” with a “riveting presence”. She is known throughout the American Early Music community for her heartfelt interpretations of the works of Bach and Handel. Virginia has been featured as a soloist with GRAMMY®- nominated ensembles Seraphic Fire and the Trinity Wall Street Choir, TENET, Carmel Bach Festival, Green Mountain Project, Clarion Music Society, Musica Sacra, Oratorio Society of New York, Yale Schola Cantorum, Juilliard 415, and Vox Vocal Ensemble, and has worked with conductors such as Masaaki Suzuki, Nic McGegan, Kent Tritle, Patrick Dupré Quigley, Steven Fox, Stefan Parkman, Andrew Megill, Julian Wachner, and more. In the 2013-2014 season, Virginia will make her Lincoln Center solo debut as Micah in Handel’s Samson with the American Classical Orchestra, and will also join the highly distinguished roster of soloists of Philharmonia Baroque in Vivaldi’s Juditha Triumphans, both led by Nic McGegan. In recent seasons, she has appeared on the main stage of Carnegie Hall as the alto soloist in Bach’s B minor Mass, Handel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s C minor Mass. Virginia is also an advocate of contemporary music, and has performed and premiered works by numerous prominent composers including Louis Andriessen, Caleb Burhans, Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, Judd Greenstein, Missy Mazzoli, and Steve Reich. She is a member of the widely acclaimed groundbreaking vocal octet Roomful of Teeth, described by WQXR (NYC’s leading classical music radio station) as being “the future of vocal music,” integrating western and non-western vocal techniques such as Tuvan throat singing, Inuit throat singing, yodeling, high Bulgarian belting, and Korean P’ansori, and collaborating with composers to forge a new repertoire for the voice using an expanded sound palette.

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