FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Brightens Season with Handel and Purcell in Hail, Bright Cecilia!
CONTACT:
Dianne Provenzano
Marketing & Communications Director
press@philharmonia.org
(415) 252-1288 x 315
SAN FRANCISCO – BERKELEY – PALO ALTO
November 1, 2015, San Francisco – In early December, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra will light up the holiday season with festive performances of Handel’s “Ode for St. Ceilia’s Day” and Purcell’s “Te Deum and Jubilate in D Suite from Distressed Innocence.” Guest singers Sherezade Panthaki and Isaiah Bell join the Philharmonia Chorale for these “twin peaks” of English chorale music.
British-born music director Nicholas McGegan is excited to present these celebratory works that honor St. Cecilia – the patron saint of music. The pealing trumpets and chorale splendor make for a festive program ideal for the holidays.
“We Brits certainly like an excuse to party and musicians are no exception. Since the 1680’s we’ve celebrated the feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music. Traditionally, on November 22nd, special concerts of music in her honour have been performed, odes recited and followed – and of course –many toasts given in her praise,” claims McGegan.
“Our concert contains three such works written by two of the finest composers of the Baroque period, Purcell and Handel. Purcell’s “Te Deum and Jubilate” were first performed in 1694 and Handel’s “Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day” followed about forty years later. In addition, we have an excerpt from “Alexander’s Feast,” also a work in the saint’s praise.”
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra will perform Handel’s “Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day Tra amplessi innocenti” from “Cecilia, volgi un sguardo” and Purcell’s “Te Deum and Jubilate in D Suite from Distressed Innocence” throughout the San Francisco Bay Area starting December 2 at First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto, December 4 at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco followed by performances on December 5 and 6 at First Congregational Church in Berkeley.
Tickets start at $25. For more information about this and other 2015-16 Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra concerts, visit philharmonia.org. For tickets, visit cityboxoffice.com or call 415-392-4400.
These concerts are the third set in a series of six regular 2015-16 season concerts as Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra celebrates its 35th season as an orchestra and Nicholas McGegan celebrates his 30th anniversary as music director.
Program notes about Hail, Bright Cecilia are here.
Philharmonia continues its partnership with Classical KDFC, broadcasting an unreleased live concert recording the second Sunday of every month from 8-9 PM.
Classical KDFC is the radio home of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
WHO: Nicholas McGegan and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
PHOTOGRAPHY: (Click to download)
Sherezade Panthaki
WHAT: Concert Performance
Hail, Bright Cecilia!
PROGRAM:
Handel: Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day “Tra amplessi innocenti” from Cecilia, volgi un squardo
Purcell: Te Deum and Jubilate in D Suite from Distressed Innocence
PRICE: Starting at $25
TICKETS: Single tickets at City Box Office 415-392-4400 or cityboxoffice.com
WHEN/WHERE:
Wednesday, December 2 @ 7:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto
Friday, December 4 @ 8:00 p.m.
Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Saturday, December 5 @ 8:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Berkeley
Sunday, December 6 @ 4:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Berkeley
Short Description:
Nicholas McGegan and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra light up the season with festive performances of Handel’s “Ode for St. Ceilia’s Day” and Purcell’s “Te Deum and Jubilate in D Suite from Distressed Innocence.” Guest singers soprano Sherezade Panthaki and tenor Isaiah Bell join the Philharmonia Chorale for these celebratory masterworks of English chorale music.
