Gay Men's Chorus A Mighty Voice Comes To LA Theatre Center 3/26-27

The celebrated Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), noted for its versatile repertoire and commitment to promoting civil rights, tolerance and acceptance through music, showcases a range of classical works by such composers as Felix Mendelssohn, Francis Poulenc, Franz Schubert, when noted guest conductor Cristian Grases leads the chorus's second concert of the season, "A Mighty Voice," on Saturday, March 26, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 27, 2011, 3 p.m., at LA Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Among the works featured are Amor de mi Alma by Z.R. Stroope, a beautiful setting of Spanish poet Garcilaso de la Vega's "Soneto V"; Franz Schubert's Nachthelle, for double men's chorus; Franz Biebl's best-known work, Ave Maria, composed in 1964; "In Taberna," the second part of Carl Orff's iconic Carmena Burana; La Sombra Salió del Monte by Venezuelan composer Antonio Estevez, two-time recipient of the Venezuelan National Music Prize (1949 and 1987); and Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner, written for a cappella chorus in 1869 for the dedication of the votive chapel of Linz Cathedral. Also on the program, among other pieces, are a pair of vocal works by Felix Mendelssohn - Beati Mortui and Festgesang an die Künstler, and a pair from the medieval manuscript Libre Vermell de Montserrat - Mariam Matrem and O Virgo Splendens.

Cristian Grases, one of the rising stars of choral conducting, is the assistant conductor of the Miami Symphony and was recently named to the faculty of USC's Thornton School of Music. An expert in Latin American choral music, he has participated in numerous festivals, workshops and events as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator and conducting pedagogue in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Grases was born in Caracas, Venezuela, graduated with honors from Simon Bolivar University, where he studied with María Guinand and Alberto Grau, and earned a DMA from the University of Miami in 2009. He also studied choral and orchestral conducting under Helmuth Rilling in Stuttgart, Germany, and is a noted composer as well.

On July 9 and 10, 2011, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles concludes its season with "Totally! Our '80's Show," under the baton of guest Conductor Andres Cladera, at the Avalon in Hollywood.

Tickets range from $35 to $55 and are available online at www.gmcla.org. For more information call (800) MEN-SING (800-636-7464). LA Theatre Center is located at 501 South Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles, California, 90013.