Mozart’s Requiem in D minor is one of the most popular and well-known pieces of classical music ever written. On May 3 and 4, Santa Cruz Symphony will join forces with Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus and four stellar vocalists: Emalie Savoy (soprano), Sara Couden (contralto), Joshua Stewart (tenor), and Elliot Madore (baritone) to bring you this masterwork.
Our program will also feature a new arrangement of Björk's Overture to Dancer in the Dark by our very own Maestro Daniel Stewart, and a stunning world premiere of Daniel Stewart's Lux Perpetua.
These masterworks offer a perfect showcase for the vocal power and harmonic expression of Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, under the direction of Cheryl Anderson (who will be making her final appearance as Director in this concert).
Prepare to be transported, both spiritually and emotionally, in this thrilling conclusion to our 2024-25 classical concert series. We invite you to share this unforgettable performance with us!
PROGRAM:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem in D Minor
Björk/arr. Stewart: Overture to Dancer in the Dark
Daniel Patrick Stewart: Lux Perpetua
Free open rehearsal of Mozart's Requiem:
THURSDAY, May 1 at 7:30 PM at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz
No reservations required | Doors open at 7 PM
Evening performance of Mozart's Requiem:
Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 PM at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz
Pre-concert talk at 6:30 PM | Doors open at 6:15 PM
Matinee performance of Mozart's Requiem:
Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 PM at the Henry J. Mello Center in Watsonville
Pre-concert talk at 1:00 PM | Doors open at 12:45 PM
Emalie Savoy, soprano
Lauded as “remarkable” and "the star of the evening" by The New York Times, soprano Emalie Savoy’s lyric vocal beauty and dramatic passion continue to touch audiences worldwide. A versatile artist, Savoy is sought after on the operatic as well as concert and recital stage. She has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, and many more. Savoy maintains a vocal studio and serves on the voice faculty at the Petrie School of Music. Click here to learn more.
Sara Couden, contralto
Praised by Opera News for her “unusually rich and resonant” voice, contralto Sara Couden is a premiere interpreter of operatic, chamber, and song repertoire. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, the Seattle Symphony, St. Petersburg Opera, and many more venues around the world. As one reviewer said, "Sara Couden possesses an uncommonly powerful instrument that absolutely fills a theater. Each time she sang, the audience was rapt in awe.” Click here to learn more.
Joshua Stewart, tenor
A leading proponent of contemporary opera, tenor Joshua Stewart has made a name for himself in the world of opera without losing touch with his jazz roots. He "stood out from the very first for his impressive clarion vocality," according to Broadway World; The Stage called him "magnetic and majestic." Stewart has graced the stages of operas and orchestras around the world. Displaying compelling artistry and versatility, he has performed for world leaders such as King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Presidents George H. W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and Barack Obama. Click here to learn more.
Elliot Madore, baritone
Hailed by The New York Times for his “robust singing” and Opera News for his “exquisite vocal beauty,” Grammy Award-winning baritone Elliot Madore has established himself as an international artist in demand at leading opera houses and orchestras around the world, working with conducting luminaries such as Seiji Ozawa and Gustavo Dudamel. The grand prize winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Madore is also a highly acclaimed teacher of voice and opera. Click here to learn more.
Cheryl Anderson, Choral Director
Cheryl Anderson has conducted choirs and orchestras around the world, in addition to performing as a professional soloist and chorister. Named Santa Cruz Artist of the Year in 2018, she sang for years with Robert Shaw and was a Conducting Fellow and singer with Helmuth Rilling and the Oregon Bach Festival. Maestro Daniel Stewart had this to say about Ms. Anderson: “How wonderful it is to have a collaborator of her caliber, of her vision, of her heart.”
Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus
Under the direction of Cheryl Anderson, the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus has earned a stellar reputation at home in the Monterey Bay, as well as internationally, by performing in the finest concert halls in the USA and Europe, including years of transcendent performances with Santa Cruz Symphony. The group consistently evokes a sense of beauty and wonder with the lushness and fluidity of their technique.
