The Verdi Chorus continues its 42nd season with "Verdi in España," a Spanish-themed concert featuring operatic works by Verdi, Bizet and Spanish composers, for two performances at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica on April 18 and 19.
Led by Anne Marie Ketchum, celebrating 42 consecutive years as artistic director, the Verdi Chorus is the only choral group in Southern California that focuses primarily on dramatic and diverse music for opera chorus.
The program features operatic sequences from Verdi's "Don Carlo," "Il Trovatore," "La Traviata" and "Ernani," along with Bizet's "Carmen" and selections from Spanish composers Catán, Granados, Giménez, Torroba and De Falla.
"I've been wanting to do this Spanish themed concert for a while now and this seemed like the right time to do it," Ketchum said. "There is so much really marvelous music that's come out of the Spanish tradition and culture."
The concert marks a first for the Verdi Chorus with excerpts from Daniel Catán's "Florencia en el Amazonas," composed in 1996.
"I'm loving working with Florencia because the sounds, rhythms and atmosphere are totally different from everything the Verdi Chorus has done in the past," Ketchum said.
Three guest soloists will perform: soprano Leela Subramaniam, who has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, Bavarian State Opera, LA Opera and Carnegie Hall; mezzo soprano Audrey Babcock, known for her performances as Carmen; and baritone Roberto Perlas Gómez, with over 100 roles to his credit. Guitarist Andres Vadin will also perform.
The Verdi Chorus comprises more than 50 singers ages 20 to 87 from various professions who rehearse every Monday night.
Performances are Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 19, at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd St. Tickets range from $10 for students to $50 for priority seating and are available at www.verdichorus.org.
Edited by SMDP Staff