Submitted
Jarvis Green
May 29-30 — WOODSTOCK – Jarvis Green and Cantare Con Spirito are thrilled to present “An Evening of Opera and Spirituals” in collaboration with ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Friday and Saturday, May 29-30 at 7:30 p.m. at ArtisTree. The audience is invited to a pre-performance reception at 6 p.m. on Friday May 29.
The vocal ensemble Cantare Con Spirito was formed in the winter of 2014 when Jarvis Green, Artistic Director of Cantare Con Spirito and Director of Theatre Arts at ArtisTree, heard a program of Brahms’ quartets on the Vermont Public Radio Classical station. This coincided with an article he had read earlier that same day asserting that to young Americans, classical music has become irrelevant. He wanted to change that.
“That evening I called colleagues in Maine, Boston and New York City and proposed the idea of going on tour to perform an all-Brahms program. To my delight and astonishment they agreed. Cantare Con Spirito (Sing with Spirit) was born,” said Green. The group went on to perform a successful tour at Vermont and New Hampshire venues last spring. “Our mission is to sing the music we love, with the people we love, in the places we love.”
This year the group will perform: Soave il Vento (Cosi Fan Tutte) by Mozart, Bella Figlia Dell’Amore (Rigoletto) by Giuseppe Verdi, Au fond du temple saint (Les pêcheurs de perles) by George Bizet, Brindisi (La Traviata), by Giuseppe Verdi, Old Time Religion, arranged by Moses Hogan,Ain’t Got Time To Die, words and music by Hall Johnson, Swing Low, Swing Chariot arranged by Moses Hogan, and Ride on King Jesus, arranged by H.T. Burleigh.
“For me, this is about singing music I love, with the people I love and sharing it with this amazing community,” says Green, whose musical background started while singing gospel and spirituals in church. Greens classical music background began at the age of 10 while singing with the GAMAC Boys’ Choir and continued at Anderson University. He will sing baritone. Joining him will be Jasmine Thomas of Brooklyn, NY, soprano; Alexandra Smith of Manhattan, soprano; Tesia Kwarteng who studies and performs in Manhattan, mezzo soprano; Margaret Hunton of Lebanon, NH, mezzo soprano; Metropolitan Opera singer Marco Jordao, tenor; Ken Alston of Baltimore, Maryland, tenor; Barry Robinson of Manhattan, baritone; and Michael Caldwell of Teaneck, NJ, Music Director and pianist.
Tickets are $20 at the door, cash bar, limited seating available.
For more information and to reserve tickets, call (802) 457-3500 or visit or www.artistreevt.org or www.jarvisantoniogreen.com.
Additional events:
Thursday May 28, at 1 p.m. at the ArtisTree Community Arts Center, students and guests can witness an hour-long peak into rehearsal while the Artistic Director & Music Director guides them through the program.
Friday May 29, at 1 p.m. at Norman Williams Public Library, members of Canatre Con Spirito Vocal Ensemble will give a sneak peak performance of their upcoming concert.
Sunday May 31, at 1:30 p.m. at Norman Williams Public Library, Marco Jordao of New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Cantare Con Spirito Vocal Ensemble will perform “An Afternoon of Art Songs.” Jordao will be accompanied by Michael Caldwell on the piano. There is a suggested donation of $30 for this event, which supports the Spring Library Fund. Arrive early to enjoy Hors d’oeuvres and wine beginning at 1 p.m. in the library’s mezzanine. All are invited and welcome to attend.
For more information visit www.normanwilliams.org or contact Michael at 802-457-2295 x126.
