May 1999, Abu Gosh Festival, Shavuot

In May 1999 the choir was invited to sing in the Shavuot Abu-Gosh Festival. Most of the repertoire for this concert was prepared during the short time frame from the February concert to May.

program:

• "Phillis, I Fain would Die Now", a madrigal for 7 voices by Morley. Amintas, sung by the bass, baritone, tenor and second alto, is the lover who is begging for the love of Phillis. Phillis, sung by the soprano, mezzo and first alto, doesn't know what he is speaking about - why don't you just ask what you want? A kiss? That is out of the question! However, anything else - I will grant you...
• "It was a Lover and his Lass", a song for 8 voices by Ward Swingle. This is the same text by Shakespeare to which many others, notably Morley, have written music (the choir is now working on John Rutter's version). This fresh, Jazz-style piece by the founder of the Swingle Singers is certainly one of the best of its kind.
• Two Madrigals from the second book of madrigals by Monteverdi, number 8, "Anima mia perdona" and number 9, "Che se to se il cor mio". The two madrigals, both written for 5 voices, are actually two parts of a larger composition and are thus sang without a break.

photos:

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