2012-2013 Season Brochure

Jeffrey Thomas - Artistic Director

“Electric Camaraderie” San Francisco Classical Voice

2012/13 • 24th Season Gloria! ~ A Baroque Christmas

Vivaldi: Gloria • Handel: Laudate pueri Dominum • Corelli: “Christmas Concerto”

Handel’s Messiah Bach’s St. John Passion Bach, Handel, & Vivaldi

Concertos for Viola d’amore & Oboe d’amore • Dixit Dominus • Beatus vir

Handel’s Apollo & Dafne • Bach Arias for Bass

GLORIA! ~ A Baroque Christmas

BELVEDERE Saturday December 15 2012 8:00 pm St. Stephen’s Church Limited Availability.

Please call (415) 621-7900 DAVIS Sunday December 16 2012 4:00 pm Mondavi Center Please call (866) 754-ARTS

San Francisco Girls Chorus American Bach Choir Mary Wilson soprano Charpentier: In Nativitatem Corelli: “Christmas Concerto” Handel: Laudate pueri Dominum Vivaldi: Gloria The beautiful, candle-lit venue of St. Stephen’s Church in Belvedere—home to ABS for more than two decades and known for its clear and rich acoustics— and the phenomenal Jackson Hall at UC Davis will resonate with the voices of the five-time Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Girls Chorus and the acclaimed American Bach Choir in a program of Christmas treasures from the Baroque. Vivaldi’s inimitable Gloria and Handel’s joyful setting of the psalm Laudate pueri Dominum, composed during Handel’s early years in Rome, will complement the favorite “Christmas Concerto” by Arcangelo Corelli, the most famous and successful violinist-composer of 18th-century Italy. A set of charming French noels and a pastorale about the shepherds at the Nativity by the Parisian composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier make this a wonderful program for the whole family.

Handel’s MESSIAH

SAN FRANCISCO Thursday December 20 2012 7:30 pm Grace Cathedral Friday December 21 2012 7:30 pm Grace Cathedral Saturday December 22 2012 7:30 pm Grace Cathedral

A Bay Area Holiday Tradition Mary Wilson soprano Ian Howell countertenor Wesley Rogers tenor Jesse Blumberg baritone American Bach Choir Presented in the breathtaking setting of San Francisco’s landmark Grace Cathedral, ABS’s performances of Handel’s enduring masterwork are celebrated as one of Northern California’s most treasured holiday traditions. A superb quartet of vocal soloists and the American Bach Choir, which “sets the standard in choral singing” (San Francisco Classical VoicE) will join the period instrument specialists of American Bach Soloists under the masterful direction of Jeffrey Thomas. Always a sell-out, year after year!

“Leading a crack team of period musicians and singers, Thomas had a thoroughly conceived vision for the piece, maintaining a committed drive and intensity all the way through the stunningly intense and pious final ‘Amen’ fugue.” SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE These performances are generously sponsored by Kim & Judith Maxwell and Citi Wealth Management.

Bach’s ST. JOHN PASSION

BELVEDERE Friday January 25 2013 7:30 pm St. Stephen's Church BERKELEY Saturday January 26 2013 7:30 pm First Congregational Church

SAN FRANCISCO Sunday January 27 2013 4:00 pm St. Mark's Lutheran Church DAVIS Monday January 28 2013 7:00 pm Davis Community Church

Aaron Sheehan tenor (Evangelista) William Sharp baritone (Christus) Clara Rottsolk soprano Brennan Hall countertenor (debut) Derek Chester tenor Joshua Copeland baritone American Bach Choir The great Passions of J. S. Bach remain unparalleled in their dramatic impact and universally experienced emotional effects. Bach took the genre to new worlds of expression, incorporating the Lutheran tradition of chorales with newer, Italianate operatic elements.

The result is a powerful force of rhetoric that tells the Passion story reinforced by personalized illuminations of onlookers. Maestro Thomas, one of the Baroque music world’s most celebrated Bach specialists, brings his unique and insightful perspectives to the podium in definitive performances that are profoundly beautiful and moving.

“The ABS Chorus sang incisively and with beautiful tone...every instrumentalist was, in effect, a superb soloist” San Francisco CLASSICAL VOICE These performances are generously sponsored by Hugh Davies & Kaneez Munjee.

BACH, HANDEL, & VIVALDI

BELVEDERE Friday March 1 2013 8:00 pm St. Stephen's Church BERKELEY Saturday March 2 2013 8:00 pm First Congregational Church

SAN FRANCISCO Sunday March 3 2013 4:00 pm St. Mark's Lutheran Church DAVIS Monday March 4 2013 7:00 pm Davis Community Church

Elizabeth Blumenstock viola d’amore Debra Nagy oboe d’amore Kathryn Mueller soprano Danielle Reutter-Harrah mezzo-soprano Eric Jurenas countertenor (debut) Robert Stafford baritone American Bach Choir Handel: Dixit Dominus Vivaldi: Beatus vir Bach: Concerto for Oboe d’amore Vivaldi: Concerto for Viola d’amore ABS presents a pair of glorious works that represent the epitome of 18thcentury Roman and Venetian traditions.

Two exuberant psalm settings for soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Handel and Vivaldi will feature the acclaimed American Bach Choir.

Concertos for oboe d’amore and viola d’amore—instruments known for their especially beautiful timbres—will be performed by ABS virtuosi Debra Nagy and Elizabeth Blumenstock. An evening of captivating music! “breathtaking stylistic fervor” San Francisco CHRONICLE These performances are generously sponsored by Jan Goldberg. The Davis performance is sponsored

by Jim & Jennifer Steelquist.

Handel’s APOLLO & DAFNE

BELVEDERE Friday May 3 2013 8:00 pm St. Stephen's Church BERKELEY Saturday May 4 2013 8:00 pm First Congregational Church

SAN FRANCISCO Sunday May 5 2013 4:00 pm St. Mark's Lutheran Church DAVIS Monday May 6 2013 7:00 pm Davis Community Church

Mischa Bouvier baritone Mary Wilson soprano Bach: Arias for Bass Handel: Apollo & Dafne Handel: Silete venti Handel’s cantata Apollo & Dafne was written in Venice when he was just 24 years old. It tells the story of Apollo, who in his vanity suggests that even Cupid’s bow is no match for his own.

Challenging Apollo’s boastfulness, Cupid shoots his arrows and Apollo falls prey to rapturous yearnings for Dafne. She spurns his advances and, in a desperate effort to escape, is transformed into a laurel tree. Handel’s motet Silete venti, which expresses the soul’s desire for bliss, will be performed by coloratura soprano Mary Wilson, noted for her “stage presence that is mesmerizing” Arizona Daily Star.

Baritone Mischa Bouvier—recently praised by San Francisco Classical Voice for his “immensely sympathetic, soulful voice”—will complete the program of virtuosic vocal works with a set of glorious arias by J. S. Bach.

These performances are generously sponsored by Jose & Carol Alonso.

PRE-CONCERT “INSIGHTS” Learn more about the programs! One hour prior to each performance from January through May, enjoy a free and informative lecture given by an ABS musician.

Steven Lehning - Bach’s St. John Passion Friday, January 25 - Monday, January 28, 2013 Debra Nagy - Bach, Handel, & Vivaldi Friday, March 1- Monday, March 4, 2013 Kate van Orden - Handel’s Apollo & Dafne Friday, May 3 - Monday, May 6, 2013

FREE PUBLIC MASTER CLASSES This season, ABS will present three Master Classes in collaboration with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. All Master Classes are free and open to the public.

No tickets or advance reservations are required.

William Sharp, baritone Monday January 21 2013 7:30 p.m.

Jeffrey Thomas, conductor Monday April 15 2013 7:30 p.m.

Sandra Miller, flute Monday April 29 2013 7:30 p.m.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music 50 Oak Street at Van Ness, San Francisco CA 94102

ABS’s Festival & Academy returns in July for another sensational twoweek residency at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, including performances of Biber’s Salzburg Mass, Handel’s Acis and Galatea, and Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Tickets on sale January 1, 2013. For more information, visit:

sfbachfestival.org

PLEASE INVEST IN GREAT MUSIC Ticket sales cover less than half the cost of bringing American Bach Soloists performances and educational programs to you and your community.

• Won’t you please consider including a tax-deductible donation to help us bridge the gap? All ABS donors receive special benefits. For more information, please call (415) 621-7900 or visit: americanbach.org/support.

Thank you!

ORDER TODAY FOR THE BEST SAVINGS AND THE BEST SEATS ABS Subscribers receive the greatest discounts and exclusive perks.

• • • •

Great Seats at Excellent Performances – Subscribers are guaranteed the best seats in the house year after year!

Financial Savings – Subscribers receive 15% off individual ticket prices, and are never charged a handling fee regardless of how orders are placed.

Free Ticket Exchange and Replacement – Only subscribers can exchange their tickets for another concert date and location.

Discounts for family and friends – Only subscribers can purchase additional tickets for family and friends at the same discounted rate. Please note that in order to take advantage of these special prices you must order those discounted tickets now, along with your subscription order, by using the order form or by calling our office at (415) 621-7900 (not available online).

Advance purchasers who place their orders online at least 48 hours in advance receive discounts, too!

• • •

Order online at americanbach.org/tickets and get automatic 5% discounts from full prices at the door.

ABS never charges any service or per ticket fees for online orders.

Choose your seats from online seating maps and get the tickets that you want, where you want them.

Sales at the door have higher prices and are not eligible for advance purchase discounts. So why pay full price or ticketing fees? Order in advance online to save!

Phone orders are subject to a $4 handling fee. Call (415) 621-7900.

SINGLE TICKETS FORM ON REVERSE

2012/13 SUBSCRIPTIONS

It’s easy to become an ABS Subscriber and save 15%!

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Use this Order Form – Indicate the venue/city for your concerts and let us know if you wish to add Messiah in Grace Cathedral. Mail to the address below or FAX to (415) 621-7920 Order online americanbach.org/subscribe By phone (415) 621-7900 – We can take your call Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.

1

Name

I N F O

Address City

State

Phone (Day)

(Eve)

Zip

Email

2

SUBSCRIPTION SERIES 15% discount

Section AA* Section A Qty. / Price Qty. / Price

C H O O S E

4 Concerts (with MESSIAH)

x $227

x $214

x $156

x $72

=

3 Concerts (no MESSIAH)

n/a

x $150

x $114

x $54

=

Section A

Section B

ADD-ON SINGLE TICKETS Section AA* only with subscriptions

Section B Qty. / Price

Section C Qty. / Price

Total

Section C

Total

Messiah (Grace Cathedral)

x $77

x $64

x $42

x $18

=

All Others

n/a

x $50

x $38

x $18

=

 Check here to request balcony seating. * Section AA: first five rows in Grace Cathedral only.

SUBTOTAL FOR TICKETS

=

SELECT PERFORMANCE DATES & VENUES Indicate # of seats next to each applicable date

3 P A Y M E N T

Messiah

_____12/20 SF

_____12/21 SF

_____12/22 SF

St. John Passion

_____1/25 Belvedere

_____1/26 Berkeley

_____1/27 SF

_____1/28 Davis

Bach/Handel/Vivaldi

_____3/1 Belvedere

_____3/2 Berkeley

_____3/3 SF

_____3/4 Davis

Oratorio/Cantatas

_____5/3 Belvedere

_____5/4 Berkeley

_____5/5 SF

_____5/6 Davis

MAIL American Bach Soloists 44 Page Street, Suite 403 San Francisco CA 94102-5975

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2012/13 SINGLE TICKETS

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ONLINE - americanbach.org Instant 5% Discount at Checkout.

No handling charges (online only).

Choose your exact seat locations.

BY PHONE - call (415) 621-7900 Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Handling charges apply.

For Gloria! in Belvedere call (415) 621-7900.

For Gloria! in the UC Davis Mondavi Center call (866) 754-ARTS.

BY MAIL OR FAX Less control over specific seats.

Simply complete the form below. Three easy steps…

1

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Messiah Choose date

C H O O S E

 Thu 12/20  Fri 12/21  Sat 12/22

Section AA $94/$85* quantity

January through May Indicate date

x

price

Balcony?

 

P A Y M E N T

quantity

x

price

Section A $60/$55* quantity

x

price

Section B $52/$47* quantity

x

Section C $22/$20*

price

quantity

Section B $47/$43* quantity

x

x

price

Total =

Section C $22/$20*

price

quantity

x

price

Total =



x

x

x

=



x

x

x

=

* Lower price is for seniors over 65, students with ID, and children.

SUBTOTAL FOR TICKETS

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Tax-Deductible Contribution

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(order ONLINE for no handling charge: americanbach.org) Handling Charge ABS has a no refund/no exchange policy on single ticket purchases.

TOTAL PAYMENT

+ $4.00 =

 Check enclosed and made payable to American Bach Soloists Charge my  Visa  MasterCard  American Express  Discover Card #

MAIL American Bach Soloists 44 Page Street, Suite 403 San Francisco CA 94102-5975

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PHONE (415) 621-7900 FAX (415) 621-7920 EMAIL info @americanbach.org



3

Section A $78/$71*

SEASON-AT-A-GLANCE Gloria!

A Baroque Christmas

BERKELEY

SAN FRANCISCO

Sat Dec 15 8:00 pm

DAVIS Sun Dec 16 4:00 pm

call 415-621-7900

call 866-754-ARTS

Thu–Sat Dec 20–22 7:30 pm

Handel’s Messiah St. John Passion

Fri Jan 25 7:30 pm

Sat Jan 26 7:30 pm

Sun Jan 27 4:00 pm

Mon Jan 28 7:00 pm

Bach, Handel, & Vivaldi

Fri Mar 1 8:00 pm

Sat Mar 2 8:00 pm

Sun Mar 3 4:00 pm

Mon Mar 4 7:00 pm

Apollo & Dafne Bach Arias for Bass

Fri May 3 8:00 pm

Sat May 4 8:00 pm

Sun May 5 4:00 pm

Mon May 6 7:00 pm

CONCERT VENUES & SEATING • •

All seats are reserved. Note that Section C in St. Stephen’s Church (Belvedere) includes some seats with partially obstructed views.

Balcony seating is not available in Grace Cathedral or sections B and C in Belvedere.

To request balcony seating, please check the box on the order form.

AA

AA

Premium Section

STAGE SECTION A SECTION B SECTION C

BERKELEY First Congregational Church 2345 Channing Way at Dana

SAN FRANCISCO Grace Cathedral 1100 California Street

DAVIS Davis Community Church 412 C Street at Fourth

SAN FRANCISCO St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 1111 O’Farrell Street

For more venue information, including seating diagrams, maps, and directions, please visit:

americanbach.org/venues

BELVEDERE St. Stephen’s Church 3 Bayview Avenue

All sales are final.

Programs and artists are subject to change.

BELVEDERE

Nakamichi Foundation

American Bach Soloists 44 Page Street, Suite 403 San Francisco, CA 94102-5975

2012/13 Permit No. 1568

San Francisco, CA

PAID

U.S. Postage

NonProfit Org.

americanbach.org

SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE

“First Class ... Thanks to Thomas and ABS for such a profoundly beautiful, moving evening.”

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