Purcell and Handel October 24, 2010

California Bach Society, under the direction of Paul Flight, brings two Baroque masterworks to Bay Area audiences. Henry Purcell wrote his famous ode Hail! Bright Cecilia in 1692, a great hymn of praise to music and musical instruments. It is representative of the mature Purcell, showcasing impressive choral writing, complex fugal development, and intricate and varied instrumental sections. Joined by a Baroque orchestra with flutes, trumpets and timpani, the singers of California Bach Society will indeed pay tribute to Cecilia, the patron saint of music. The second half of the program is G.F. Handel's delightful Acis and Galatea, written in 1718, during his service to the Duke of Chandos. A single-act masque on a typically Italian style pastoral theme, Acis and Galatea was one of the first dramatic works that Handel composed in the English language. Three Bay Area soloists, soprano Ann Moss, tenor Brian Thorsett, and bass Jeffrey Fields, join the 25-voice chamber chorus.

The California Bach Society was founded in 1971 by Edwin (Ted) Flath as a large community chorus, with branches in the East Bay and the Peninsula. Based in Palo Alto since 1988, the Society is now a chamber choir of 25 singers, performing regularly in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Berkeley. As a celebration of the 40th anniversary, director Paul Flight has programmed a season full of gems from the Baroque repertoire. The highlight of the season is the annual benefit concert in January 2011, with a chamber performance of masterworks of J.S. Bach.

Official Website: http://www.calbach.org