120 Singers to Perform Johannes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem

April 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Celebrating its 30th Concert Season, Chorale Bel Canto presents Johannes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem (German Requiem), Op. 45, in the beautiful sanctuary of the Pasadena First United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 4:00 PM.  Joining the Chorale will be the Chancel Choir of Pasadena First United Methodist Church and the Rio Hondo College Vocal Arts Ensemble directed by Dr. Linda West Brown.  The concert will be conducted by founder and music director Stephen Gothold.

The word “requiem” usually refers to the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead which begins with the Latin phrase "Requiem aeternam dona eis domine" ("Grant them eternal rest, O Lord").  Settings of the Latin Requiem text were liturgical works for the Catholic service, intended for use in a service of prayer for the soul of the deceased.  Brahms deviated from this tradition by conceiving the extraordinary idea of using selected Biblical passages that do not correspond to the funeral liturgy of any church, but that nonetheless represent a deeply felt response to the central problem of human existence.

The choral ensemble will be comprised of 120 singers.  They will be complemented by a 60-piece orchestra and featured soloists Joseph Lim, baritone, and Melissa McIntosh-Landis, soprano.

Noted by the New York Times as “elegant” and showing “passion and depth”, Korean baritone Joseph Lim is pursuing a career in performing arts.  In addition to being a Grand Prize Winner at the 2011 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Mr. Lim was the first place winner at the Palm Springs Opera Competition and second place at the Gerda Lissner Foundation International Competition. He has also received awards from the Loren L. Zachary National Competition and the Marilyn Horne Song Competition. He is the recipient of scholarships from, among others, the Opera Buffs Inc., and the Los Angeles Opera Association. Mr. Lim was named USC Thornton’s Marilyn Horne Scholar.  Mr. Lim completed his graduate certificate program at USC, where he studied with Rod Gilfry, Eric Halfvarson, and W. Stephen Smith. Mr. Lim received his Bachelor of Music degree from Seoul National University, South Korea.

Melissa McIntosh Landis, soprano, is an accomplished recitalist and concert artist.  She has been a guest soloist from coast to coast, appearing in Carnegie Hall with the New York City Chamber Orchestra and on the stage of Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall.  Based in Los Angeles, she is a returning soloist for Chorale Bel Canto, most recently featured as soloist in their performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah.  Ms. Landis has also been privileged to sing for the Rio Hondo Symphony's 50th Anniversary Jubilee concert of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and was proud to present the West Coast premiere of Sir Paul McCartney's Ecce Cor Meum with the Mountainside Master Chorale.  She recently joined her voice students at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles for a concert spotlighting Whittier College performing arts students.  Ms. Landis is currently working with pianist and Steinway artist Timothy Durkovic, as they perform their recital of American Art Songs from the Turn of the Twentieth Century.

Ms. Landis completed her graduate work in Opera at the Wanda Bass School of Music, Oklahoma City University.  Subsequently, she worked with Tulsa Opera as a Young Artist in their Educational Program.  As a doctoral student in voice, she taught at the Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California.  Ms. Landis instructs choral and vocal music at Mt. San Antonio College and is an Artist-in-Residence for Whittier College.

A pre-concert lecture will be presented by 91.5 FM KUSC’s personality, Kimberlea Daggy, at 3:15 PM prior to the performance in the sanctuary.

Tickets are now on sale for $20/adults, $17/seniors, $15/groups of 10 or more, $5/youth and student rush with ID.  Tickets may be purchased online by visiting http://www.choralebelcanto.org or proceeding directly to the ticket link at Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/220943.  For more information, call 888-736-2493.  For patrons ordering their tickets online, tickets may be printed in advance on your home printer, placed  in will call, or downloaded onto your mobile phone.


PER:
Lloyd Kaneko, Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator
Chorale Bel Canto
13707 La Cuarta St.
Whittier, CA 90602-2516
Office: (562) 261-5385

*Chorale Bel Canto invites press and media representatives, with credentials, to our performances.  For additional information and complimentary passes, contact Lloyd Kaneko at the office number above.