So We Must Make the Journey

"full-bodied and radiant ... follow the singers on their squiggly line through music history, weaving together the ancient and the new in wondrous ways"

New York Times

Boston’s Lorelei Ensemble is recognized nationally for its bold and inventive programs that champion the extraordinary flexibility and virtuosity of the human voice. Lorelei is an all-professional female vocal ensemble, comprising nine exceptional vocalists whose expertise ranges from early to contemporary repertoire.

Under the direction of founder and artistic director Beth Willer, Lorelei has established a remarkable and inspiring artistic vision, challenging the expectations of artists and audiences alike.

The April 14 program specially created for SMSS combines medieval and contemporary repertoires, ranging from 9th century Byzantine chant to 21st century minimalism. Two distinct halves depict the parallel sacred journey of the natural world, and the human race that lives within it.

In the first half, Lorelei flits between the pseudo-sacred texts of medieval English song, John Luther Adams’ transcendent evocations of birdsong excerpted from Canticles of the Holy Wind and Maggi Payne’s powerful yet isolated Desertscapes.

The second half, So We Must Make the Journey, invokes mercy and strength, as Lorelei explores the breadth and depth of human loss and weakness. Chant by Byzantine abbess Kassia sets the stage for Yuri Yukachev’s multi-movement My Heart is Ready on Psalms of David. Punctuated by Daniel Schlosberg’s neo-Baroque setting of naturalist Heinrich von Kleist, the program comes full circle with a return to the natural world in David Lang’s deconstructionist creation story evening morning day, as Pavel Chesnokov’s Salvation is Created seeks to close the gap between this world and the next.

Lorelei has commissioned and premiered more than fifty new works since its founding in 2007, including works by David Lang, George Benjamin, Kati Agócs, Lisa Bielawa, Kareem Roustom, Jessica Meyer, Sungji Hong, Reiko Yamada, Peter Gilbert, Scott Ordway, and John Supko. Driven by its mission to advance and elevate women’s vocal ensembles, and to enrich the repertoire through forward-thinking and co-creative collaboration, Lorelei is committed to bringing works to life that point toward a “new normal” for vocal artists, and women in music.

Heralded for its “warm, lithe, and beautifully blended” sound (New York Times) “impeccable musicality” (Boston Globe) and unfailing display of the “elegance, power, grace and beauty of the human voice” (Boston Music Intelligencer), Boston’s Lorelei Ensemble is recognized nationally for its bold and inventive programs that champion the extraordinary flexibility and virtuosic capability of the human voice. Lorelei is an all-professional vocal ensemble, comprising nine women whose expertise ranges from early to contemporary repertoire, and whose independent careers as soloists and ensemble singers across the globe lend to the rich and diverse vocal palette that defines the ensemble’s thrilling delivery of “exact, smooth, and stylish” programming (Boston Globe).

Committed to the expansion of the repertoire for women’s voices, Lorelei has commissioned and premiered more than fifty new works since its founding in 2007, and continues to expose and reinvent early works of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque repertoires. Driven by their mission to advance women’s vocal ensembles, and to enrich the vocal ensemble repertoire through forward-thinking and co-creative collaboration, Lorelei partners with established and emerging composers from the United States and abroad to create works that stretch and challenge performers and audiences alike.

Based in Boston, Lorelei frequently joins forces with local artistic organizations to the enrich the city’s vibrant music scene. Collaborating ensembles include the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, A Far Cry, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Odyssey Opera, Grand Harmonie, Boston Percussion Group, and Juventas New Music.

In addition to its work in and around Boston, Lorelei maintains a national touring schedule, enjoying performances and residencies on numerous concert series, and at academic institutions and venues across the country. Appearances include Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Art Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music, Trinity Wall Street's Twelfth Night Festival, Five Boroughs Music Festival, Rockport Chamber Music, Chamber Music Columbus, Duke Performances, Schubert Club of St. Paul, Louisville Chamber Music Series, Monadnock Music Festival, Kent Hall Masters Series, and guest appearances state and national ACDA and Chorus America conferences. Educational residencies have included work with ensembles and composers at Harvard University, Bucknell University, Yale University, Duke University, Macalester College, Pittsburg State University, Mount Holyoke College, Hillsdale College, Keene State College, Pennsylvania Girlchoir, Connecticut Children’s Chorus, and Providence Children’s Chorus. 

Under the direction of founder and artistic director Beth Willer, Lorelei has established a remarkable and inspiring artistic vision. Receiving Chorus America’s 2014 Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal,” and Boston University’s Kahn Career Entry Award, Willer continues to expand Lorelei’s artistic reach, curating culturally-relevant and artistically audacious programs that stretch and challenge the expectations of artists and audiences alike.

All performance dates, artists and programs subject to change. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

GENERAL CONCERT AND TICKET INFORMATION

• DOORS OPEN at 3:15 PM for a 4 PM concert start time.


• LATE SEATING is at the discretion of the House Management. Latecomers may be asked to remain in the back of the church until there is a break in the program, so as not to disturb the performance or other audience members.


• WILL CALL is available when the doors open at 3:15 PM inside the main doors of the church.


• CHILDREN seated in an adult's lap do not need a ticket. Children seated in a chair or pew do need a ticket.


• We no longer offer tickets for sale or any ticket pickup at the Parish House Reception desk.


• Audio and/or video recording and flash photography are not permitted during performances.

• The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola is wheelchair/walker accessible via the ramp entrance on 84th Street (between Park and Madison Avenues).


• An accessible restroom is located just inside the Parish House on the ground floor. The Parish House is located closer to 83rd Street on Park Avenue. PLEASE NOTE the Parish House accessible restroom is not in the same building as the main church where the concert is located.


• For reserved seating concerts, there is available seating for wheelchairs and companions. Please look for the Wheelchair and Wheelchair Companion tickets when purchasing. For general seating concerts, follow the directions of the ushers. Please call ahead (212-288-2520) to discuss any special seating requirements.

PARKING

• Street parking can be difficult to find, but there are a number of parking garages nearby. There are garages on 83rd Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues) and 84th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues), as well as near the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

RESTAURANTS

• There are a number of fine and casual eating establishments located nearby on Madison Avenue (one block west of the church), Lexington Avenue (one block east of the church), Third Avenue (two blocks east of the church) and Second Avenue (three blocks east of the church).

 DIRECTIONS

• The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola is easily reached via the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines (86th Street station), or buses on Madison, Lexington and Fifth Avenues, and on 86th Street.