MASTERWORKS CHORALE presents J.S. Bach's Mass for the Dresden Court and Mozart's Ave Verum, Regina Coeli

SF Peninsula – Artistic Director Bryan Baker and the 100 singers of Masterworks Chorale open their 52nd Season with a monumental concert featuring Johann Sebastian Bach’s MASS FOR THE DRESDEN COURT, with highlights from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s early and later life, for a richly musical experience in Belmont’s Carlmont HS Performing Arts Center, Saturday October 24th at 8pm and Sunday October 25th at 4pm.

Often called the “Missa,” Bach’s MASS FOR THE DRESDEN COURT became the first half of his famous B MINOR MASS, one of the most admired of all classical works, an example of the creative capacity of the human mind. Bach’s lifetime of learning, his incredible inventiveness and the dazzling intricacies of his counterpoint meld into a “Missa” of extraordinarily profound depth, ranging from pathos and power to Italianate sunniness, with quietly uplifting virtuosity – no wonder both Bach and this piece continue to be voted #1 in countless classical “best of” lists.

Balancing Bach’s moving, complex Mass are contrasting pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The concert begins with the irresistible, joyful energy of the youthful Mozart’s early composition, “Regina Coeli”, K 276, incorporating trumpets, drums and a clearly defined celebratory choral character. Mozart’s final choral work, the serene “Ave Verum Corpus”, is refined and pure in its lyrical expression and exquisite simplicity – often called a perfect work, showing Mozart at his most sublime.

The highly regarded Masterworks Orchestra unfolds Bach’s colorful orchestration of carefully balanced and shaded harmonies to support and amplify the meaning and emotions of the text. Five magnificent soloists will perform the wonderfully varied solo movements, including tenor Bradley King, the first Masterworks Prize Winner from the James Toland Vocal Arts International Vocal Competition. Returning Masterworks guest soloists are soprano Lindsay Roush and baritone Ben Kazez (seen previously in Mozart’s C Minor Mass), mezzo sopranos Kindra Scharich (Durufle Requiem) and Wendy Hillhouse (numerous concerts including Masterworks’ European tour). Rounding out the program are solo performances by Dr. Bryan Baker on piano, mezzo soprano Kindra Scharich and oboist Andrea Plesnarski.

We invite you to join in this musical feast on Saturday October 24th at 8pm and Sunday October 25th at 4pm, in the beautiful Carlmont HS Performing Arts Center, 1400 Alameda de las Pulgas, in Belmont, where there are excellent acoustics and ample free parking. Tickets are available on-line at www.Masterworks.org or by calling 650-918-6225. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door and $10 for Students with an ID.