Chamber Music in Yellow Springs returns after a three-month hiatus to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death with a program inspired by the Bard’s works that should please literary and music enthusiasts.
The Leipzig, Germany-based a cappella quintet the Calmus Ensemble will do the honors of performing the first concert of the new year, “All the World’s a Stage” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.
“Shakespeare lovers will be amazed at the variety and beauty of this wonderful program,” said Angela Brintlinger, Chamber Music in Yellow Springs publicity chairwoman.
Excerpts from “Twelfth Night,” “Cymbeline,” “Othello” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be interspersed with settings of the sonnets. The concert will conclude with four distinct versions of the poem “Full Fathom Five” from “The Tempest” and “Shall I Compare Thee To a Summer’s Day” (Sonnet 18) composed by Nils Lindberg.
Composers covered will include 16th century Englishmen Orlando Gibbons and Henry Purcell to contemporary artists like John Tavener, Nancy Wertsch, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi and others.
The Calmus Ensemble’s five performers are from the renowned St. Thomas Church Choir School and combine a pure female soprano voice with four male voices ranging from bass to countertenor.
“Their voices should stand out in the splendid acoustics of the First Presbyterian Church,” Brintlinger said.
James Johnston will lead a pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m.
The Chamber Music in Yellow Springs season will continue with a newcomer to the series, the Parker Quartet, on March 12. This group will replace the originally announced Meccore String Quartet, which could not travel here from Poland.
How to go
What: The Calmus Ensemble
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 314 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29
Admission: Adults $25; students $7
More info: 937-374-8800 or www.cmys.org
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