Join the Wisconsin Chamber Choir for an afternoon of love songs with lyrics from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, along with musical theatre pieces inspired by The Bard. A wide variety of musical styles awaits you, including lush, Romantic-era vocal arrangements, jazz-inspired choral music by George Shearing, and selections from beloved musicals including West Side Story and Kiss Me, Kate. The stunning architecture of First Unitarian Society’s Landmark Auditorium (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) provides the perfect setting for this intimate concert, which will be followed by a delicious reception.
As in past years, this program will feature a mix of large ensembles and talented soloists. A 32-voice subset of the full WCC will perform music by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Libby Larsen, and George Shearing. Individual singers from the choir will present stunning renditions of songs from musicals such as Bernstein and Sondheim’s West Side Story (based on Romeo and Juliet), Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate (based on The Taming of the Shrew), Rogers and Hart’s The Boys from Syracuse (based on The Comedy of Errors), and Peter Mills’ Illyria (based on Twelfth Night). Pianist John Scoville will shine as a collaborating artist.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for students, available in advance from www.wisconsinchamberchoir.org or at the door. Discounted tickets are available for children, students, and patrons experiencing financial hardship.
Founded in 1998, the Wisconsin Chamber Choir has established a reputation for excellence in the performance of oratorios by Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Brahms; a cappella works from various centuries; and world premieres. WCC Artistic Director Robert Gehrenbeck, who serves as Director of Choral Activities at UW-Whitewater, has been hailed by critics for his vibrant and emotionally compelling interpretations of a wide variety of choral music. Under his leadership the WCC has presented major works with orchestra as well as innovative programs of rarely heard music by composers from a wide variety of eras, nationalities, and cultures.