FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Schola Cantorum San Francisco opens its new concert season with musical rarity

Schola Cantorum San Francisco (ScholaSF) is inaugurating its ninth season with a choral program featuring Spem in Alium, a rarely performed motet in 40 parts by the Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis. The performance will take place in three venues on successive nights: October 13, 8PM, at Ss. Peter and Paul, North Beach, San Francisco; October 14, 8PM, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Berkeley; and October 15, 4PM, at the Mercy Center, Burlingame. SCSF will be joined by the Pacific Collegium, a choir based in Berkeley.

Entitled Music of the English Renaissance, the concert also includes other significant works by Tallis and William Byrd, including selections from Byrd's Great Service. ScholaSF is noted for its elegant interpretations of Renaissance polyphonic choral music, and has been praised for its luminous clarity and attention to the subtleties of the text as well as the music.

The program for the new season was announced by ScholaSF Music Director, John Renke, and Executive Director, Joe Pulichino, in a letter to its friends and benefactors. Regarding the performance of Spem in Alium, Mr. Renke said, "We are delighted to work with Pacific Collegium and Director Chris Kula. It's a rare chance for audiences to hear an extraordinary piece like this."

ScholaSF will continue its 2006-07 series with the following seasonal programs: Christmas in the City, December 8, 9, and 10; In Exitu Israel, music from the Hebrew Tanakh, March 16, 17, and 18; and Come, My Beloved, a celebration of Spring, May 11, 12, and 13.

Contact: John Renke
Schola Cantorum San Francisco
2370 Market St. #415
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-419-3500