Join us for our 2013-14 Season!
Kol Israel - the Voice of Judaism in Early Music
“Kol
Israel: The Voice of Judaism in Early Music” continues our tradition of exploring and performing the music of
the Renaissance and related periods outside of the traditional European
canon. Our audiences this year will experience rare and seldom-heard
Jewish music from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods including a US
premiere. In addition, our audiences' favorite annual events return including
our fourth annual Boar’s Head Festival
& Mid-Winter Gala, Hallowe'en Memorial Singalong, this year giving our
audiences the opportunity to sing Fauré's
Requiem along with us – and we are delighted to again present our free Festival of Lessons & Carols for the holiday season!
We are delighted to have Rabbi Reuben Zellman as our Ethno-Musicology Consultant for our 2013-14 Season. Rabbi Zellman is currently completing a Master of Music degree at San Francisco State University, specializing in early music and Jewish choral repertoire. When not singing as a regular member of San Francisco Renaissance Voices he serves as Assistant Rabbi and Music Director at Congregation Beth El in Berkeley, where he is responsible for musical activities ranging from traditional leading of liturgy to directing choral and instrumental ensembles, and teaching Biblical cantillation. Rabbi Zellman received his BA in linguistics from UC Berkeley, studied classical voice at SFSU, and received his Master's in Hebrew Literature and rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. He trained in chazzanut (traditional cantorial music and Jewish modal theory) under Cantors David Bentley and Jack Mendelsohn, and has performed as a soloist and chorister with numerous ensembles.
A Festival of Lessons & Carols (Free! - no tickets or reservations required)
DECEMBER 21 - 7:30 pm
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
Join us at Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, our host as Artists-in-Residence, for a traditional Festival of Lessons & Carols. Our lead tenor, Corey Head (pictured below) once again directs this event and brings advanced students from his vocal studio to join with members of San Francisco Renaissance Voices.
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
Join us at Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, our host as Artists-in-Residence, for a traditional Festival of Lessons & Carols. Our lead tenor, Corey Head (pictured below) once again directs this event and brings advanced students from his vocal studio to join with members of San Francisco Renaissance Voices.
This service began in 1918 at
King's College (Cambridge, England) and we are delighted to bring
this Christmas tradition to you that features familiar holiday pieces,
and in the tradition of the Festival a specially commissioned work for
the evening by Bay Area composer Winton Yuichiro White, lots of audience carol sing along – and a festive holiday reception to enjoy after the concert!
Fourth Annual Boar's Head Festival & Mid-Winter Gala
CLICK HERE to buy tickets - JANUARY 4 - 7:00 PM
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
CLICK HERE to buy tickets - JANUARY 5 - 3:30 PM
First Lutheran Church
600 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto
Don’t miss our most popular event of every season with this grand celebration of Twelfth Night and Mid-Winter presided over by her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I! The evening begins with a silent auction accompanied by the most delicious appetizers in the shire washed down with mead and wine and continues with an invitation from her Majesty to a musical celebration at her court, conducted by Assistant Music Director Katherine McKee. This festive end to the Yuletide season - The Boar’s Head – is the world’s oldest continuously celebrated Yuletide feast. Legend has it that a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle whilst walking through the forest on his way to Midnight Mass. Suddenly, he was confronted by an angry wild boar. Having no other weapon, the resourceful Oxonian rammed his metal-bound philosophy book down the throat of the charging animal, whereupon the brute choked to death. That night the boar's head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers singing "in honor of the King of bliss." We continue this 650 year old tradition with the music and dance of Medieval through Contemporary England, as well as a mysterious, magical guest or two to complete the evening’s entertainment. Our program includes abundant opportunities for you to sing along, and after the concert you’ll enjoy a traditional feast featuring wassail, king’s cake and, meat and vegetable pies. Any attire you choose to wear for the evening meets Her Majesty's approval; however, those in period costume will be most welcome!
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
CLICK HERE to buy tickets - JANUARY 5 - 3:30 PM
First Lutheran Church
600 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto
Don’t miss our most popular event of every season with this grand celebration of Twelfth Night and Mid-Winter presided over by her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I! The evening begins with a silent auction accompanied by the most delicious appetizers in the shire washed down with mead and wine and continues with an invitation from her Majesty to a musical celebration at her court, conducted by Assistant Music Director Katherine McKee. This festive end to the Yuletide season - The Boar’s Head – is the world’s oldest continuously celebrated Yuletide feast. Legend has it that a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle whilst walking through the forest on his way to Midnight Mass. Suddenly, he was confronted by an angry wild boar. Having no other weapon, the resourceful Oxonian rammed his metal-bound philosophy book down the throat of the charging animal, whereupon the brute choked to death. That night the boar's head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers singing "in honor of the King of bliss." We continue this 650 year old tradition with the music and dance of Medieval through Contemporary England, as well as a mysterious, magical guest or two to complete the evening’s entertainment. Our program includes abundant opportunities for you to sing along, and after the concert you’ll enjoy a traditional feast featuring wassail, king’s cake and, meat and vegetable pies. Any attire you choose to wear for the evening meets Her Majesty's approval; however, those in period costume will be most welcome!
A Prelude for Valentine’s Day with Jarring Sounds
FEBRUARY 1 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
Seventh Avenue Performances,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
Our audiences liked Jarring Sounds’ concert so much last season we just had to invite them again this season! When San Francisco Renaissance Voices’ lutenist Adam Cockerham joins mezzo-soprano Danielle Reutter-Harrah (American Bach Soloists, San Francisco Symphony Chorus), they form the duo Jarring Sounds. Join them for this concert of madrigals, villancicos, sonnets, and canciónes from the Renaissance through the Contemporary periods focusing on the cross-culture pollination between Spain and Italy as a prelude to Valentine’s Day.
Seventh Avenue Performances,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
Our audiences liked Jarring Sounds’ concert so much last season we just had to invite them again this season! When San Francisco Renaissance Voices’ lutenist Adam Cockerham joins mezzo-soprano Danielle Reutter-Harrah (American Bach Soloists, San Francisco Symphony Chorus), they form the duo Jarring Sounds. Join them for this concert of madrigals, villancicos, sonnets, and canciónes from the Renaissance through the Contemporary periods focusing on the cross-culture pollination between Spain and Italy as a prelude to Valentine’s Day.
Klezmer Baroque - with San Francisco Renaissance Dancers
& the Sunset Baroque Ensemble
FEBRUARY 15 - 7:30 PM
Venue TBA
FEBRUARY 16 - 4:00 PM
Venue TBA
Our resident dance troupe, under the direction of Jennifer Meller, takes the stage for this performance that begins with traditional Renaissance and Baroque dances performed to music by Jewish composers of the period by the Sunset Baroque Ensemble (Noah Strick, violin, Adam Cockerham theorbo & Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, cello). After intermission our dancers present traditional and contemporary Jewish dance set to the music of klezmer; a tradition of the Jews of Ashkenaz. Today's klezmer is a rich blend of traditional and jazz instrumental music characterized by expressive melodies reminiscent of the human voice - complete with laughing and weeping.
Venue TBA
FEBRUARY 16 - 4:00 PM
Venue TBA
Our resident dance troupe, under the direction of Jennifer Meller, takes the stage for this performance that begins with traditional Renaissance and Baroque dances performed to music by Jewish composers of the period by the Sunset Baroque Ensemble (Noah Strick, violin, Adam Cockerham theorbo & Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, cello). After intermission our dancers present traditional and contemporary Jewish dance set to the music of klezmer; a tradition of the Jews of Ashkenaz. Today's klezmer is a rich blend of traditional and jazz instrumental music characterized by expressive melodies reminiscent of the human voice - complete with laughing and weeping.
OPERA EARLY & ANCIENT: Esther (t’shuat Yisrael al y’dei Ester )
by Cristiano Giuseppe Lidarti (1730-c1793)
MARCH 15 - 8:00 pm
Congregation Beth El
1301 Oxford, Berkeley
MARCH 16 - 4:00 pm
First Lutheran Church
600 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto
MARCH 22 - 7:30 pm
Seventh Avenue Performances
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
MARCH 23 - 4:00 pm
Venue TBA
(Pre-concert talk by Rabbi Reuben Zellman 45 minutes before each performance)
Our Opera Early & Ancient Series returns with this exciting US premiere of the story of Queen Esther and her rescue of the Jewish people from the murderous designs of the wicked Haman. Composed by Lidarti, an Austrian composer, born in Vienna of Italian descent, on the Hebrew libretto by Rabbi Jacob Saraval, written for the Jewish community in Amsterdam. We present this oratorio in semi-staged form with period chamber orchestra. Completed in 1774, this unique work was unknown in modern times until its discovery in 1998. This will be the US premiere, sung in the original Hebrew in which it was composed, with full translations provided. Don’t miss this rare musical celebration during the Purim season with this family-friendly production (and do come in costume and bring your noisemakers!)
Congregation Beth El
1301 Oxford, Berkeley
MARCH 16 - 4:00 pm
First Lutheran Church
600 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto
MARCH 22 - 7:30 pm
Seventh Avenue Performances
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
MARCH 23 - 4:00 pm
Venue TBA
(Pre-concert talk by Rabbi Reuben Zellman 45 minutes before each performance)
Our Opera Early & Ancient Series returns with this exciting US premiere of the story of Queen Esther and her rescue of the Jewish people from the murderous designs of the wicked Haman. Composed by Lidarti, an Austrian composer, born in Vienna of Italian descent, on the Hebrew libretto by Rabbi Jacob Saraval, written for the Jewish community in Amsterdam. We present this oratorio in semi-staged form with period chamber orchestra. Completed in 1774, this unique work was unknown in modern times until its discovery in 1998. This will be the US premiere, sung in the original Hebrew in which it was composed, with full translations provided. Don’t miss this rare musical celebration during the Purim season with this family-friendly production (and do come in costume and bring your noisemakers!)
Dedication of the Synagogue & Other Jewish Celebrations
MAY 24 - 7:30 pm
Seventh Avenue Performances,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
MAY 25 - 4:00 pm
Congregation Beth El
1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley
JUNE 7 - 7:30 pm
Venue TBA
JUNE 8 - 4:00 pm
Venue TBA
(Pre-concert talk by Rabbi Reuben Zellman 45 minutes before each performance)
Join us for this celebratory finale concert that features the extensive musical ceremony composed by Volunio Gallichi and Francesco Drei for the 1786 dedication of the new synagogue in Siena, Italy, as well as music for weddings, Shabbat and other celebrations. This concert includes Louis Saladin’s exquisite Canticum Hebraicum, composed for chorus and orchestra in 1670 for the occasion of a circumcision ceremony in Southern France. All sung in the original Hebrew with full translations provided. We are joined by San Francisco Renaissance Dancers for this festive ending to our 2013-14 season!
Seventh Avenue Performances,
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
MAY 25 - 4:00 pm
Congregation Beth El
1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley
JUNE 7 - 7:30 pm
Venue TBA
JUNE 8 - 4:00 pm
Venue TBA
(Pre-concert talk by Rabbi Reuben Zellman 45 minutes before each performance)
Join us for this celebratory finale concert that features the extensive musical ceremony composed by Volunio Gallichi and Francesco Drei for the 1786 dedication of the new synagogue in Siena, Italy, as well as music for weddings, Shabbat and other celebrations. This concert includes Louis Saladin’s exquisite Canticum Hebraicum, composed for chorus and orchestra in 1670 for the occasion of a circumcision ceremony in Southern France. All sung in the original Hebrew with full translations provided. We are joined by San Francisco Renaissance Dancers for this festive ending to our 2013-14 season!
