The Collegiate Chorale News

American Symphony Orchestra's 2014-2015 season explores Strauss's marriage music, posthumous discoveries, 20th century darkness, Mona Lisa the opera, and a special holiday presentation - the journey to 'Botsteinburg' continues...

Musica Sacra, the longest continuously-performing professional chorus in New York City, will present a performance in honor of Women's History Month featuring works by acclaimed composers Meredith Monk and Jocelyn Hagen at New York's Alice Tully Hall on Monday, March 31, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Perhaps the greatest disservice ever done to English music was its dismissal by the modernist composer Elizabeth Lutyens as 'cowpat music'. That statement was a hangover of a common perception from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century that, despite the country's power and reputation, it wasn't actually very good at producing interesting music. But World War One marked the beginning of a new explosion of creative energy, one that saw exciting modern composers pour into England's concert halls, reaching across the sea to America, even to Hollywood. 'This England' from Leon Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra brings this England to Carnegie Hall.

The Collegiate Chorale announces the New York premiere of battle hymns on May 15, 2014 at 7:30pm at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street in New York, NY.

59E59 Theaters is thrilled to announce that the Little Opera Theatre of NY returns with Rossini's comic opera OPPORTUNITY MAKES THE THIEF (L'OCCASIONE FA IL LADRO OSSIA IL CAMBIO DELLA VALIGIA).

Perhaps the greatest disservice ever done to English music was its dismissal by the modernist composer Elizabeth Lutyens as "cowpat music". That statement was a hangover of a common perception from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century that, despite the country's power and reputation, it wasn't actually very good at producing interesting music. But World War One marked the beginning of a new explosion of creative energy, one that saw exciting modern composers pour into England's concert halls, reaching across the sea to America, even to Hollywood. "This England" from Leon Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra brings this England to Carnegie Hall.

In Episode 204, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with esteemed colleague Nathan Siler (www.nathansiler.com), a composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist. Nathan's project, Portraiture, released their debut LP, 'Real as Ritual', last year. In his vast career, he has supported, produced, and toured with renowned indies such as The Lovely Sparrows, Steve Burns and the Struggle, and Brothers NYC. As a classical singer, Mr. Siler has performed at Carnegie Hall with American Symphony Orchestra and the Collegiate Chorale and is a soloist in the acclaimed chamber choir Musica Viva of New York, and he fosters a close relationship with up and coming composers, singing for many premieres of music in the NYC Classical scene.

Whatever else you think of Richard Strauss, you can't accuse him of picking easy subjects. While Die Frau Ohne Schattenremains one of the most elusive of opera plots, Elektra among the most bloodthirsty and Salome among the most disturbing, it is the rarely-heard one-act Feuersnot that proved a step too far to Strauss's own audiences. But then what did he expect? The plot revolves around lust and sex – and the fact that it has always been regarded as possibly semi-autobiographical no doubt didn't help his cause. Yet the opera is fascinating enough that the world premiere was conducted by Gustav Mahler.

Whatever else you think of Richard Strauss, you can't accuse him of picking easy subjects. While Die Frau Ohne Schattenremains one of the most elusive of opera plots, Elektra among the most bloodthirsty and Salome among the most disturbing, it is the rarely-heard one-act Feuersnot that proved a step too far to Strauss's own audiences. But then what did he expect? The plot revolves around lust and sex – and the fact that it has always been regarded as possibly semi-autobiographical no doubt didn't help his cause. Yet the opera is fascinating enough that the world premiere was conducted by Gustav Mahler.

Carnegie Hall returns to 'Botsteinburg' with ASO's anniversary tribute to Elliott Carter -- 'Elliott Carter: An American Original' -- tonight, November 17, 2013 at 8pm at Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium, Perelman Stage), 57th Street and 7th Avenue.

The Collegiate Chorale raised more than $200,000 at its 2013 Annual Fall Gala on November 6, 2013 at Carnegie Hall. The festive Gala evening welcomed 125 guests, and honored Directors Emeriti Anna M. and William H. Mann for more than ten years of dedicated and inspired Board service. The cocktail reception and seated dinner was followed by a much anticipated concert performance of Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele and a dessert buffet during intermission. The thrilling musical fireworks and the glorious choral music provided a spectacular evening of heavenly music and devilish good fun.

It's easy to see why the Collegiate Chorale chose Arrigo Boito's MEFISTOFELE for its season opener at Carnegie Hall last Wednesday. The opera, which is the only one completed by the librettist of Verdi's OTELLO and FALSTAFF, can't be mistaken for any other. Besides providing a rich score and marvelous roles for three soloists--the title character (a bass-baritone), a dramatic soprano and tenor--the choral writing is gorgeous.

The Collegiate Chorale presents its first concert of the season, Mefistofele, by Arrigo Boito tonight, November 6, 2013 at 8pm at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue, NYC. The Collegiate Chorale will hold its Annual Fall Gala immediately following the concert.

Tony Award-winning actors Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher, Spamalot) and Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf), Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), and Broadway stars Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show], The Little Mermaid) and Derek Klena (Wicked, Dogfight) are all scheduled to take part in the developmental reading. Dog and Pony will receive its World Premiere at The Old Globe next spring, running May 28 - June 29, 2014; casting for that production will be announced at a later time.

The Collegiate Chorale announces its first concert of the season, Mefistofele, by Arrigo Boito on November 6, 2013 at 8pm at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue, NYC. Tickets are available at www.carnegiehall.org or by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800. Single tickets for this concert start at $15. The Collegiate Chorale will hold its Annual Fall Gala immediately following the concert.

The American Symphony Orchestra begins its Classics Declassified Series with Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, 'Reformation', at Symphony Space today, October 27, 2013.

Carnegie Hall returns to 'Botsteinburg' with ASO's anniversary tribute to Elliott Carter -- 'Elliott Carter: An American Original' -- on November 17, 2013 at 8pm at Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium, Perelman Stage), 57th Street and 7th Avenue.

The American Symphony Orchestra begins its Classics Declassified Series with Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, “Reformation”, at Symphony Space on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Discover how symphonic form and the romantic expression of religious feeling are reconciled in Mendelssohn's popular Reformation Symphony as Leon Botstein and the orchestra shed new light on this masterpiece during a lively talk, a performance of the work in full, and a Q&A with the audience.

The Collegiate Chorale announces the addition of two new members of the company's executive team. Ted Sperling and Edward Barnes join Music Director James Bagwell and Executive Director Jennifer Collins as Artistic Director and Producing Director, respectively, effective immediately.