Bel Canto Chorus Announces 2013 - 2014 Season of Concerts

MILWAUKEE - Aug. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Milwaukee, WI - Bel Canto Chorus (Richard Hynson, Music Director), announces "Works with Friends," its 2013 - 2014 season of concerts. Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee's premier independent choral organization, will present four collaborative concerts with other Milwaukee ensembles.

October 26, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Edo de Waart, Music Director), will be the first partner of the season. Inspired by Bel Canto's recent tour to France, this program features Maurice Duruflé's mystical "Requiem" and Francis Poulenc's jubilant, jazzy "Gloria."

The "Christmas in the Basilica" concerts, December 14 and 15, feature Stained Glass Brass and Bel Canto Boy Choirs for this annual celebration of the music of the Christmas season. The concert also includes an audience sing-along.

March 9, the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra joins Bel Canto Chorus to perform two twentieth-century works that commemorate the passion story. James MacMillan's "Seven Last Words from the Cross" offers a dramatic, brutal revelation of the last hours of Jesus. Morten Lauridsen's "Lux Aeterna" continues the narrative after the resurrection with hopeful, healing words of redemption.

May 21, the Milwaukee Children's Choir combines forces with Bel Canto Chorus and Boy Choirs for Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana." This bawdy Milwaukee favorite will feature Orff's arrangement for two pianos and percussion, allowing the chorus and the soloists to come to the forefront.

"The whimsical title of our season, 'Works with Friends,' describes the thread of collaboration that runs throughout," said Hynson. "Each concert will feature an exciting performance with another Milwaukee ensemble. Collaborations in recent years have succeeded so well that I decided to create a full season of them. The resulting energy generated by the combined forces makes for extraordinary concert experiences that you won't want to miss!"

Tickets ($25 - $55) are available online at www.belcanto.org or by phone at (414) 481-8801. FlexPasses can also be purchased to save up to 20% off Tier 1 single ticket prices ($28 each, minimum purchase of 4, available until October 24, 2013, 5:00 pm). Senior, student, and group discounts are available.

Auditions for Bel Canto Chorus will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013. Call (414) 481-8801 for more details.

The 2013 - 2014 Bel Canto Chorus concert season is presented in part with support from the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF); the Bradley Foundation; the Herzfeld Foundation; CAMPAC, the Milwaukee County Arts Board; and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

LISTING INFORMATION
Requiem Maurice Duruflé
Gloria Francis Poulenc 
Bel Canto Chorus with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Christ King Parish
2604 North Swan Blvd., Wauwatosa, WI 53226

Christmas in the Basilica
Bel Canto Chorus with Bel Canto Boy Choirs and Stained Glass Brass
Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 7:30 pm 
Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm 
The Basilica of St. Josaphat
2333 S. Sixth St., Milwaukee, WI 53215

Seven Last Words from the Cross James MacMillan 
Lux Aeterna Morten Lauridsen
Bel Canto Chorus with Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 3:00 pm  
The Basilica of St. Josaphat
2333 S. Sixth St., Milwaukee, WI 53215

Carmina Burana Carl Orff 
Bel Canto Chorus with Bel Canto Boy Choirs and the Milwaukee Children's Choir
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 7:00 pm
The Milwaukee Theatre - Grand Rotunda
500 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203

About Richard Hynson
This is Richard Hynson's 26th season as Music Director of Bel Canto Chorus. Since 2006, Hynson has also served as Music Director of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra. In addition to his work as a conductor and educator, Hynson is a composer. He has written a substantial body of published choral, vocal, and ensemble works, many of which he has recorded with Bel Canto Chorus singers. The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants have frequently performed Hynson's "In the Midst of Life," composed in response to the events of September 11.

About Bel Canto Chorus
Founded in 1931, Bel Canto Chorus enriches the lives of its audiences and members through the presentation of fine choral music.  The group has been led for more than 25 years by Richard Hynson, considered one of the nation's finest choral and orchestral conductors (American Prize Winner 2012). Bel Canto Chorus ranks in the top ten percent of choral organizations in the country in terms of budget, longevity, and repertoire. Educational outreach includes Bel Canto Senior Singers and Bel Canto Boy Choirs. Rehearsals are held at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. Characterized by a heartfelt belief in the value of Bel Canto Chorus, and supported by its 100 devoted singers, audiences, talented artistic and administrative staff, and dedicated board members, the group's passion for sharing the thrill of live, choral music has remained steadfast throughout its long, proud history.

Contact information/interviews
For additional information, promotional photos, or interview requests, contact the Bel Canto office at (414) 481-8801.