Crescendo to perform in area June 2-3

LAKEVILLE — On June 2 and 3 Crescendo presents the final concert program of its 2017-18 season, Laudate Pueri Dominum – Praise the Lord, Ye Children, with two performances: June 2 at St. James Place in Great Barrington, MA, and June 3 at Trinity Church Lime Rock in Lakeville.

The concerts feature the German Baroque composer Johann A. Hasse’s work including Laudate Pueri Dominum and his Miserere for four high voices. These works were written for the Ospedale degl’ Incurabili in Venice, which was a shelter for orphaned young girls supported partly with performances of works by composers such as Hasse.

The most talented girls and young women received music instruction and often were featured singers.

As it was in Hasse’s time, age alone does not define ability. These concerts will include four young “Baroque Artists,” all highschool-age singers from this area. “Our roots are based in this community,” said Artistic Director Christine Gevert. “And it is gratifying to be able to work with and provide a showcase for talented young singers.”

The young singers will perform alongside a cast of five professional early music soloists including mezzo soprano Kristin Gornstein and soprano Catherine Hancock, both from New York, and Crescendo’s soloists and section leaders Jennifer Tyo, Jordan Rose Lee and Mavis Hsieh.

Hideki Yamaya will play theorbo and Founding Artistic Director Christine Gevert will conduct from the organ and harpsichord.

The four young singers, Elizabeth Chamberlin, Søren Clulow, Elisabeth Enoch and Skylar Norton, are from local communities, attending Mt. Everett Regional in Sheffield, MA, Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village and the Millbrook School in Millbrook, N.Y. They have been individually coached in voice by Ms. Gevert for most of the academic year, and now join the professional singers for the concert production.

The June 2 concert in Great Barrington begins at 6 p.m.; on June 3 in Lakeville, the concerrt begins at 4 p.m. Dinners at private homes will be held after both concerts. The concerts and dinners support Crescendo’s music programs and educational outreach to our communities.

Tickets: $35 general; $60 premium; $10 for students under 18; and $100 for the benefit dinner. To reserve, go to worldclassmusic.org/ buy-tickets or at the door.

For more information about the concerts and benefit dinners, email crescendo@worldclassmusic.org or call 860-435-4866.

Contributed photo Crescendo, pictured here during a recent concert, performs June 2-3 in Lakeville and Great Barrington, Mass.