Texas Choral Consort has an August concert in Austin after a short but intense six-week rehearsal schedule. This year we’re singing opera choruses—a rather daunting summer symposium. These are some of the more famous and popular choruses from 18th century Handel to 20th century Bernstein). It has been educational as well as challenging. Instead of one entire opera, a narrative arc has been added to introduce these works and link them together.
Artistic Director Brent Baldwin will conduct four wonderful soloists, an orchestra (including an anvil for the percussionist!) and a chorus of 80+ voices on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 7:30; and Sunday, Aug. 19, at 3; both at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Dr (off Far West).
Come see what we can do in thirteen 3-hour rehearsals! (I’ll add a shout out to Old Koenig Lane Christian Church for providing rehearsal space.)
Here are the titles for you opera buffs!
Viva L’Opera! Famous Opera Choruses
Narration
Chorus of Enchanted Islanders (Alcina, by G.F. Handel)
Voyager’s Chorus (Idomeneo, by Mozart)
Narration
Villagers’ Chorus (Guillame Tell, by Rossini)
Narration
Mira, O Norma (Norma, by Bellini)
Narration
Habanera (Carmen, by Bizet)
Te Deum (Tosca, by Puccini)
Narration
Waltz Scene (Eugene Onegin, by Tchaikovsky)
Wedding Guests’ Chorus (Lucia di Lammermoor, by Donizetti)
Bridal Chorus (Lohengrin, by Wagner)
Narration
Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor, by Borodin)
Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco, by Verdi)
Narration
Rataplan (La Forza del Destino, by Verdi)
Narration
Matadors’ Chorus (La Traviata, by Verdi)
Brindisi (La Traviata, by Verdi)
Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore, by Verdi)
Narration
Make Our Garden Grow (Candide, by Leonard Berstein)
KaleidoscopE 