Spem in alium

The program’s centerpiece will be the magnificent Spem in alium (c. 1570) by Thomas Tallis. A masterpiece for 40 voices in 8 choirs, the rarely performed motet is considered one of the greatest examples of English Renaissance music. Listeners will be treated to an immersive experience: the singers will encircle the audience, with Bill Chin conducting from the center – a formation that Tallis likely used in his own time. Encountering the music in this way enhances the experience for everyone involved. You’ll be able to hear musical ideas traveling around the choir.

The work inspired Jaako Mäntyjärvi to write his haunting Tentatio (2006/2013), also on the program, in which the composer deploys those same 40 voices in unconventional, powerful harmonies. The concert will also feature Gregorio Allegri’s solemn Miserere (1638), Gustav Holst’s celestial Ave Maria (1900), and J. S. Bach’s Singet dem Herrn (c.1727) for double choir.

Finally, the elegiac Past Life Melodies (1991) by Sarah Hopkins will incorporate overtone singing, evoking an otherworldly sound. The piece conveys a message without words. It is as much about the experience for the singer as it is for the listener. It’s about being in the moment.

ABOUT THE ORIANA SINGERS

The Oriana Singers have been stretching artistic boundaries since first coming together in 1979. Led by noted conductor William Chin, they have toured Chicagoland, nationally, and abroad, experimenting with the chemistry of vocal music, from Renaissance songs to contemporary jazz. The Oriana Singers were prize-winners at the Internationaler Wettbewerb für Vokalensembles in Germany and represented the United States at the V Internacional Festival de Musica in Costa Rica. In recent years, the ensemble established the Oriana Vocal Collection, a collaborative project that furthers their mission by nurturing emerging vocal ensembles.

ABOUT CITY VOICES

City Voices is one of the most versatile chamber choruses in the Chicago area. Founded in 2009 in Oak Park, it has built a strong reputation as a welcoming group of experienced nonprofessional singers committed to high-quality performances. City Voices explores challenging, eclectic, and inspiring music from the vast global span of choral repertoire. The ensemble prepares a carefully curated repertoire each season and shares the beauty of that music in a series of public performances.

ABOUT WILLIAM CHIN

Director William Chin is a leading figure in the Chicago choral scene. He is the founder and artistic director of The Oriana Singers, an international-prize-winning vocal ensemble, and is active as a conductor in the Chicago area. Mr. Chin’s past positions have included Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Artistic Director of Chicago Children’s Choir, and Artistic Director of Pro Musica Youth Chorus.

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