The Santa Cruz Chorale presents “Joseph Haydn, Mass in b-flat major and Felix Mendelssohn, Psalm 42 & Choral Settings from Elijah.”

The Santa Cruz Chorale closes its 2018-2019 season with a performance featuring Haydn and Mendelssohn. Haydn’s Mass (also known as “Harmoniemesse”) was his last major work and is famous for its opulent orchestration with a full range of wind and brass instruments adding splendor to the sound of the strings. For this concert, choral settings from Mendelssohn’s Elijah will be interspersed throughout the Mass as commentaries on the mass text. Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42, “Wie der Hirsch schreiet” (“As Pants the Hart”), is composed for orchestra, soprano solo, and choir. The intense emotion of this cantata expresses the fervor of the psalmist David's spiritual longings. Robert Schumann considered this setting of Psalm 42 to be the finest piece of sacred music Mendelssohn ever created. The Chorale is delighted to welcome back soloists Solmaaz Adeli (mezzo soprano) Andrew Scott Carter (tenor), and Chad Runyon (bass) and is looking forward to singing for the first time with Jennifer Paulino (soprano). Also sharing in the musical fare of the day will be our friends from the Monterey Bay Sinfonietta, in their fullest formation to date, including strings, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, flutes, trumpets, horns, percussion and harpsichord. Get ready for a wonderful musical journey!