Helena-based Musikanten Montana celebrates its 20th season with performances in Bozeman, Butte and Helena.
To celebrate Musikanten Montana’s 20th Season, artistic director Kerry Krebill chose two compositions by Henry Purcell for the choir to perform at concerts March 7-9 in Bozeman, Butte and Helena.
The first, “Hail! Bright Cecilia” honors St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, with a text by the Irishman Nicholas Brady and was written in 1692. The second, “Come Ye Sons of Art,” was composed by Purcell in 1694 and is also known as Ode for Queen Mary’s Birthday.
Both promise “with the Airy Violin, the Am’rous Flute and soft Guitar, the noble Organ and more” to “strike the Ear and captivate the Heart.”
The choral chamber ensemble’s soloists are Andrea Weidemann, soprano; Marjorie Bunday and Anne Kania, contraltos; Daniel Hutchings and Kevin Sutton, tenors; and Art Bumgardner and Matthew Dexter, baritones.
“Hail! Bright Cecilia” and “Come Ye Sons of Art” also feature Baroque band leader Carrie Krause, theorbo player John Lenti, gambist Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, and an array of trumpets, oboes and recorders.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at Holy Rosary, 220 W. Main, Bozeman; 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, at Immaculate Conception, Western Ave. and Caledonia St., Butte; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, St. Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave., Helena.
Tickets are $30 general admission and $15 students and are available at Piccolo’s Music, Birds & Beasleys, or at the door.
The 20th Season
Musikanten Montana’s season also includes:
A Tenebrae Concert: 7:30 p.m. March 26 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral in Helena: this Holy Week performance features Stabat Mater, the 13th century hymn to Mary portraying her suffering as Jesus was crucified, with soprano Amanda Balestrieri and contralto Anne Kania.
Musikanten Montana’s 20th Anniversary Celebration: May 9-13; musician friends will gather to celebrate 20 seasons with recitals, receptions and a gala concert Saturday evening, May 11.
Evensong at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral: 4 p.m. April 28 and June 9
For more info call, 406-442-6825 or visit www.musikantenmt.org.