Arete to conclude 8th season on April 2
Centerpiece of concert will be Poulenc's 'Gloria'
The innovative professional ensemble of vocal artists will present “Cathedral to Cabaret: Francis Poulenc, Monk and Mischief-Maker” at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 2, in Samuelson Chapel.
Photo: Brian Stethem(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – March 15, 2017) Areté Vocal Ensemble will conclude its eighth season with a concert featuring music of the great 20th century French composer Francis Poulenc.
The innovative professional ensemble of vocal artists will perform “Cathedral to Cabaret: Francis Poulenc, Monk and Mischief-Maker” at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 2, in Samuelson Chapel at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.
The centerpiece of the concert will be a performance by the full ensemble of Poulenc’s “Gloria.” This famous sacred work will be juxtaposed with art songs and jazz-influenced Parisian cabaret songs by Poulenc and other prominent composers of the era.
Wyant Morton will conduct. He founded Areté, which is based at Cal Lutheran, with the goal of performing the widest possible vocal repertoire, including works from essentially all periods of music. Special attention is given to contemporary, experimental, improvisatory, crossover and ethnic music. The ensemble, which takes its name from the Greek word for excellence, focuses on performing the new, the unknown and the unconventional with energy, expertise and virtuosity. With uncompromising attention to musical detail and a passion for live performance, Areté strives to provide a joyful, moving, educational and soul-nurturing experience.
Morton, who is in his 25th year on the Cal Lutheran faculty, serves as director of choral and vocal activities and a professor of music. He also maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator appearing throughout the United States and Canada.
Areté will also perform Poulenc’s “Gloria” with the New West Symphony during an 8 p.m. concerts on April 7 in the Oxnard Performing Arts Center and April 8 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
The chapel is located at 165 Chapel Lane.
Tickets are $20 at the door. Advance tickets purchased online are $15. Student tickets are $10 with ID. Children under 12 are free. For information or to purchase tickets, visit aretevocalensemble.org.