Hamptons Johannes Brahms’ “German Requiem” Concert To Bring Together Trio Of Choirs

The Choral Society of the Hamptons will collaborate with Manhattan’s The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers to perform Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem on Saturday, July 8. The full 38-instrument South Fork Chamber Orchestra and professional soloists will also be featured in the performance, which will be held at the Parish Hall of East Hampton’s Most Holy Trinity Church starting at 7 p.m.

“Many of our singers know this piece from a performance we did nine years ago, and we’re enjoying it even more this time,” said Danny McKeever the Society’s President. “The musicianship will be superb. At this unsettled point in our country’s history, the German Requiem’s vigor and reassurance really strike deep, beautiful chords.”

The requiem was recently called a relevant “work for our times” by the New York Times because of its hope-filled transitions. The piece will be performed in its original German and is especially known for its quiet center section, flowing melodies and forceful fugues. The work has been popular worldwide ever since its first performance in 1868.

The choruses will be under the baton of the Music Director of both ensembles, Mark Mangini. Soloists will include Ileana Santamaria, soprano, and Jason Eck, bass-baritone.

Mark Mangini, music director of the Choral Society of the Hamptons and The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers, has a strong reputation as one of New York’s most active choral conductors and his repertoire ranges from music of the pre-Bach period to contemporary work. Ileana Santamaria, the soprano soloist, has received an abundance of praise in the past four years after her transition from Latin music to opera and oratorio. Jason Eck, the bass-baritone soloist, studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Indiana University before performing with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the Atlanta Opera.

The Choral Society of the Hamptons was founded in 1946 by Charlotte Rogers Smith and is an auditioned chorus that performs with professional conductors, soloists, orchestras and accompanists. Since it was established, the Society has performed works by all great choral composers and commissioned new pieces, even expanding their repertoire to jazz and musical theater. Members of the Society are of all ages and include professionals in other areas of music.

The South Fork Chamber Orchestra consists of professional musicians from Long Island and New York City.

The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers, now in its 40th year, performs secular and sacred choral music from all periods and consists of highly skilled musicians from all over the greater New York metropolitan area.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Youth tickets are available for $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Preferred seating is available for $75. Tickets can be purchased on the Society’s website.

East Hampton’s Most Holy Trinity Church is located at 57 Buell Lane in East Hampton. For more information call 631-204-9402 or visit www.choralsocietyofthehamptons.org.