2020-2021 Season

You are the light
Musica Sacra with Rose of the Compass Digital Concert

Premiered on June 15 – available on-demand through July 15, 2021
A full-length concert recorded and filmed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

You are the light is a full-length digital concert recorded and filmed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Music Director and conductor Kent Tritle leads the Musica Sacra choir with instrumental ensemble Rose of the Compass in this stunning program that includes the world premiere of Duncan Patton’s There Will Come a Time, the concert premiere of Ara Dinkjian’s You are the light, Robert Sirota’s Immigrant Songs, and Armenian music performed by Rose of the Compass.

Musica Sacra
DUNCAN PATTON There Will Come A Time (World Premiere)
Text by President Barack Obama
ERIC WHITACRE Nox Aurumque
Text by Charles Anthony Silvestri

Musica Sacra & Rose of the Compass
ARA DINKJIAN You are the light  (Concert Premiere)
Text by John Lewis
ROBERT SIROTA Immigrant Songs
Text by Victoria Sirota

Rose of the Compass
GRIGOR NAREKATSI Havoon, Havoon
ARA DINKJIAN Offering
KIRECHJIAN AND VARDAPET Vart kaghelen goukas yar / Al Ayloughus Gorav
GOMIDAS VARDAPET Alagyaz / Chinar Es
ARA DINKJIAN Slide Dance
TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN Aparani Bar

This concert was made possible by the generous support of Richard and Lois Pace and the Department of Cultural Affairs.

A Holiday Celebration: Carols and Motets by Musica Sacra (Virtual Performance)
Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 7 PM

Music Director and Conductor Kent Tritle leads a core of Musica Sacra singers performing newly recorded carols and motets of the season.

This evening’s music is made possible through the generous support of the Viktor Kalabis and Zuzana Ruzickova Foundation, courtesy of John Solum.


2019-2020 Season

Handel’s Messiah – Monday, December 23, 7:30 PM

Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
Kent Tritle, conductor
Amy Justman, soprano
Kirsten Sollek, contralto
Joshua Blue, tenor
Adam Lau, bass

Our annual performance of Messiah is as dynamic as ever with a stellar cast of soloists and the Musica Sacra Orchestra, complete with baroque bows and a focus on period performance practices. Don’t miss our triumphant Hallelujah and Worthy is the Lamb at Carnegie Hall.


Music for a Gothic Space
Monday, October 21, 7:30 PM

Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Kent Tritle, conductor

MACHAUT Messe de Nostre Dame
Motets of Josquin des Prez
Gregorian Chant

Enchanting music for a Gothic space! Machaut’s late medieval Messe de Nostre Dame, hauntingly beautiful motets of Josquin des Prez and the meditative sounds of Gregorian Chant resound ethereally in the world’s largest Gothic cathedral.

7 PM—Pre-concert recital by the Newark Boys Chorus School


2018-2019 Season

Spring Soirée
Monday, May 20, 2019, 6:30 PM

This intimate concert will include members of the Choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine singing Brahms’s delightful Liebeslieder Waltzes. Kent Tritle will perform J.S. Bach’s tour-de-force “wedge” Prelude and Fugue, plus a movement from Felix Mendelssohn’s brilliant Organ Sonata in B-Flat. Michael Sheetz and Amir Farid join at the piano. Enjoy wine & champagne at the beautiful home of Simon Yates in downtown Manhattan.

Musica Sacra: Silhouettes
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine—Great Choir
Kent Tritle, conductor
Arthur Fiacco, cello

WILLIAM BYRD
Mass for 5 Voices
Sing Joyfully
Haec Dies
THOMAS TALLIS
Salvator Mundi
O Sacrum Convivium
ORLANDO GIBBONS O Clap Your Hands
JOHN TAVENER The Lamb
STEPHEN PAULUS Pilgrims’ Hymn
MICHAEL GILBERTSON  Migration (world premiere)

Byrd’s Mass for 5 Voices frames this a cappella concert, which will sound otherworldly in the Cathedral. We’ll also present a new work by 2018 Pulitzer Prize finalist Michael Gilbertson and poet Kai Hoffman-Krull, featuring cellist Arthur Fiacco. The Mass is interspersed with vibrant works by Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Tallis, John Tavener, and Stephen Paulus, completing an evening of soothing and uplifting music.

Pre-Concert Recital by the Newark Boys Chorus at 7:00 PM.

Handel’s Messiah
Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 7:30 PM

Carnegie Hall
Kent Tritle, conductor
Leslie Fagan, soprano
Daniel Moody, countertenor
Brian Giebler, tenor
John Brancy, baritone

Our annual, yet ever-renewed, performance of Messiah includes the award-winning baritone John Brancy and a stellar cast of soloists with the Musica Sacra Orchestra, complete with baroque bows and a focus on period performance practices. Don’t miss our Hallelujah and Worthy is the Lamb at Carnegie Hall.

Bach, Buxtehude & Scarlatti
Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine—Great Choir
Kent Tritle, conductor
Michael Sheetz, conductor

J.S. BACH  Motet, BWV 225 “Singet dem herrn ein neues Lied”
BUXTEHUDE  Cantate Domino
SCARLATTI  Te Deum
SCARLATTI  Stabat Mater

Pre-Concert Recital by the Newark Boys Chorus at 7:00 PM.

Friday, September 21, 2018
University of Michigan North Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
University Musical Society
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Robert Ziegler, conductor
Musica Sacra,
Kent Tritle, Music Director

2001: A Space Odyssey  – screening with live score performance

September 14 & 15, 2018
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
André de Ridder, conductor
Musica Sacra,
Kent Tritle, Music Director

The Art of the Score:
2001: A Space Odyssey – screening with live score performance


2017-2018 Season


New York City Ballet – Les Noces
May 9, 12 & 16, 2018
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
Robbins pays homage to two epic compositions with his grand vision and unceasing invention. Stravinsky’s Les Noces finds its roots in primitive, Russian folk themes, depicting a highly ritualized wedding with a full choir and four pianos onstage.

The Art of the Score – Amadeus: Live
New York Philharmonic
April 11-17, 2018
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
Experience the Oscar winner like never before — projected on a giant screen while the Philharmonic performs its glorious soundtrack, from the Gran partita to the haunting Requiem, live. This riveting film classic pits the mediocre, frustrated Salieri (chillingly played by F. Murray Abraham, who won the Academy Award for this role) against Mozart, the genius who “seemed to be taking dictation from God.” A not-to-be-missed New York premiere!

Tuesday, March 6, 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine—Great Choir
Kent Tritle, conductor

Light of Light: Music of Lassus, Lauridsen, with Gregorian Chant

Lassus  Missa super Osculetur me
Lassus  Surgens Jesus
Josquin  Ave Maria
Lauridsen  O nata lux
Oldham  My Lord, thou art in every breath I take
Gregorian Mass for Quasi modo Sunday
Sequence: Victimae paschali laudes

Pre-Concert Recital by the Newark Boys Chorus at 7:00 PM

Thursday, December 21, 7:30 PM

Carnegie Hall
Kent Tritle, conductor
Kathryn Lewek, soprano
Samantha Hankey, mezzo-soprano
Joshua Blue, tenor
Adam Lau, bass

Handel’s Messiah

Wednesday, October 25, 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine—Great Choir
Kent Tritle, conductor
Arthur J. Fiacco, Jr., Cello
Roger Wagner , Bass
Michael Sheetz, Organ

Schütz, Bach, Brahms, and Bruckner

Schütz  Two selections from Psalmen Davids and Selig sind die Toten
J.S. Bach  Fürchte dich nicht and Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf
Brahms  Fest und Gedenksprüche and Ich aber bin elend
Bruckner  Virga Jesse and Ave Maria

Pre-Concert Recital by the Newark Boys Chorus at 7:00 PM
Donald C. Morris, Music Director
Dr. Brian Harlow, Organist

Roger Quilter Non nobis, Domine
Patti Drennan We Are the Music-Makers
African American Spiritual, arr. Rollo Dilworth  Walk in Jerusalem


2016-2017 Season

Bach, Brahms and Britten
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 | 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine – Great Choir
Kent Tritle, conductor

Johann Sebastian Bach  Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227
Benjamin Britten  Festival Te Deum, Op. 32 and Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30
Johannes Brahms  Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz, Op. 29, No. 2

Handel’s Messiah
Thursday, December 22, 2016 | 7:30 PM
Carnegie Hall – Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
Kent Tritle, conductor
Kathryn Lewek | soprano
Jakub Józef Orliński | countertenor
Colin Balzer | tenor
Scott Dispensa | baritone

The Savior of Church Music and the Mystics: Pärt, Palestrina, and Tavener
Wednesday, October 5, 2016, 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine—Great Choir

GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA  Missa Papae Marcelli
ARVO PÄRT  Magnificat
JOHN TAVENER  Funeral Ikos and Ikon of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne


2015-2016 Season

Wednesday, March 9, 2016, 7:30 PM
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center
Kent Tritle, conductor
Lianne Coble, soprano
Helen Karloski, mezzo-soprano
Marc Day, tenor
Kevin Deas, bass

EVAN FEIN  Deborah  (World Premiere)
MOZART  Solemn Vespers, K.339

Tuesday, December 22, 2015, 7:30 PM
Carnegie Hall
Kent Tritle, conductor
Kathryn Lewek, soprano
Christopher Ainslie, countertenor
Mingjie Lei, tenor
Matt Boehler, bass

HANDEL  Messiah

Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
MUSICA SACRA
Kent Tritle, conductor

TALLIS  Spem in Alium
STRAUSS  Deutsche Motette
BRUCKNER  Os Justi
ALICE PARKER  An American Kedusha
ROBERT CONVERY  The Lamb
RANDALL THOMPSON  Alleluia


2014-2015 Season

Thurs., November 6, 2014, 8 PM
Musica Sacra with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Carnegie Hall
57th Street at Seventh Avenue
The chorus will perform Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht, Op. 60, conducted by OSL’s Music Director, Pablo Heras-Casado.

Sat., December 20, 2014, 2 PM
Handel’s Messiah
The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College
In its first appearance in Westchester County, Musica Sacra’s chorus and orchestra will perform Handel’s Messiah, conducted by Music Director Kent Tritle at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.

Tues., December 23, 2014, 7:30 PM
Handel’s Messiah
Carnegie Hall
57th Street at Seventh Avenue
Musica Sacra’s chorus and orchestra return to Carnegie Hall for their annual holiday performance of Handel’s Messiah conducted by Music Director Kent Tritle.

Wed., March 4, 2015, 7:30 PM
Contemporary Composers: Juraj Filas, Michael Gilbertson, Robert Paterson, and Judith Lang Zaimont
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue

Kent Tritle, conductor
Michael Sheetz, conductor*
Lianne Coble, soprano
John Tiranno, tenor
Malcolm Merriweather, baritone
Arthur Fiacco, cello
Walter Hilse and Raymond Nagem, organists

JURAJ FILAS  The Wisdom of the Wise Old Man – World Premiere
MICHAEL GILBERTSON  Returning – World Premiere  watch video
ROBERT PATERSON  Lux Aeterna – World Premiere
JUDITH LANG ZAIMONT  Parable, A Tale of Abram and Isaac*

Continuing its commitment to expanding the choral repertoire, Musica Sacra dedicates its final concert of the season to three world premieres, including The Wisdom of the Wise Old Man by Juraj Filas, Returning by Michael Gilbertson, Lux Aeterna by Robert Paterson, as well as Parable, A Tale of Abram and Isaac by Judith Lang Zaimont. The performance is made possible with generous support from The Sorel Organization and Joanne Spellun.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015
2015 Spring Soirée
6:30 PM cocktails, 7:15 PM performance

Join us on June 17 at the home of Simon Yates and Kevin Roon
Susanna Phillips, soprano Myra Huang, pianist

An Evening of Song from the Operatic Repertoire  


2013-2014 Season

The Tudor Traverse – Exclusive Subscribers Only Event
Wednesday, October 22, 2013—6:15 PM
The Chapel of St. James, Cathedral of St. John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY

Pre-concert talk by Dr. Carol Herselle Krinsky, Professor of Art History, NYU

Kent Tritle, Conductor
Jamet Pittman, Soprano
Silvie Jensen, Mezzo-soprano
Marc Day, Tenor
Michael Steinberger, Tenor
Peter Stewart, Bass-baritone

William Byrd Mass for 5 Voices
Motets by Thomas Weelkes & Orlando Gibbons

Handel’s Messiah – Musica Sacra’s 74th & 75th Performances
Thursday, December 12, 2013—8 PM
Sunday, December 15, 2013—8 PM
Carnegie Hall
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

Kent Tritle, Conductor
Leslie Fagan, Soprano
Ian Howell, Countertenor
Colin Balzer, Tenor
Sidney Outlaw, Baritone

Meredith Monk & Jocelyn Hagen
Monday, March 31, 2014—7:30 PM
Alice Tully Hall
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

PERFORMING ARTISTS:
Kent Tritle, Music Director & Conductor
Meredith Monk, Composer & Vocalist
Jennifer Zetlan, Soprano
Katie Geissinger, Mezzo-soprano
John Matthew Myers, Tenor
Mischa Bouvier, Baritone
Arthur J. Fiacco, Cello

PROGRAM:
Selections from Monk’s
ATLAS, Part III: Invisible Light:
“Other Worlds Revealed”
“Explorers’ Junctures”
“Return to Earth”

“Hocket” from Facing North

Nightfall

NY premiere of Hagen’s amass


2012-2013 Season

JUBILATIONS: Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven
Monday, October 22, 2012—8 PM
Alice Tully Hall, Broadway at 65th St.

Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra
Kent Tritle, conductor

Susanna Phillips, Soprano
Jennifer Johnson Cano, Mezzo-soprano
John Tiranno, Tenor
Charles Perry Sprawls, Bass
Anna Shelest, Piano

PROGRAM:
Mozart  Exsultate, jubilate
Hayden “Lord Nelson” Mass
Beethoven  Choral Fantasy

HANDEL’s Messiah
Thursday, December 20, 2012—8 PM
Sunday, December 23, 2012—8 PM
Carnegie Hall
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage

Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra
Kent Tritle, Conductor

Kathryn Lewek, Soprano
Kirsten Sollek, Contralto
Nicholas Phan, Tenor
Matt Boehler, Bass

Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
Thursday, March 28, 2013—8 PM
Musica Sacra performs with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s

Carnegie Hall
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall

Following a memorable, sold-out performance of Mozart’s Requiem last season, Iván Fischer returns to Carnegie Hall to lead the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Musica Sacra in J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.

‘The Soul Rejoices’ Magnificats of Monteverdi and Pärt
Wednesday, May 15, 2013—8 PM
The Church of St. Paul the Apostle
Columbus Avenue at West 60th Street

Musica Sacra Chorus and Continuo
Kent Tritle, Conductor

CLAUDIO MONTEVERDIMagnificat for Six Voices
ARVO PÄRT  Magnificat
JOHN TAVENERSvyati
with Arthur Fiacco, Cello
FELIX MENDELSSOHN   Kyrie for double choir
FELIX MENDELSSOHN   Heilig for double choir
J.S. BACH   Singet dem Herrn 


2011-2012 Season

Handel’s Messiah
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.
Carnegie Hall
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL: Messiah

Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra
Kent Tritle, Conductor

Leslie Fagan, Soprano
Sasha Cooke, Mezzo-Soprano
Cullen Gandy, Tenor*
Kevin Deas, Bass

*Carnegie Hall debut

SELECTIONS FROM THE BACH FAMILY NOTEBOOK
Works by Johann Sebastian Bach and his forebears
Thursday, February 23, 2012–8 PM
Carnegie Hall
Weill Recital Hall
154 West 57th Street

Musica Sacra Chorus and Instrumental Continuo
Kent Tritle, Conductor

PROGRAM:
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) 
Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf

Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703)
Fürchte dich nicht

Johann Bach (1604-1673)
Unser Leben ist ein Schatten

Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694)
Halt, was du hast

Johann Ludwig Bach (1677-1731)
Das ist meine Freude
Das Blut Jesu Christi
Sei nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seel

SONGS AND ROMANCES
Monday, April 23, 2012 – 8 PM
Carnegie Hall
Weill Recital Hall
154 West 57th Street

Musica Sacra Chorus and Instrumental Ensemble
Kent Tritle, Conductor
Anna Shelest, Piano

PROGRAM:

Johannes Brahms
Vier Gesänge, Op. 17, for women’s chorus, 2 horns and harp
Ziguenerlieder

Franz Schubert
Songs for Male Chorus

Robert Schumann
Quartets for chorus and piano
Piano Sonata in F-sharp Minor, Op. 11

This program was made possible in part by generous support from The Sorel Organization

Non-Subscription Concerts:

KENT TRITLE, ORGAN
“The American Organ”
Sunday, September 25, 2011 – 4 PM
St. Francis Episcopal Church
Stamford, CT

George Crumb: Pastoral Drone
Larry King: Resurrection
Ned Rorem: Views from the Oldest House
Julius Reubke: The 94th Psalm

RACHMANINOFF: All-Night Vigil, Op. 37 (Vespers)
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 – 8 PM
Church of St. Paul the Apostle
Columbus Avenue at West 60th Street

Musica Sacra Chorus
Kent Tritle, Conductor
Kirsten Sollek, Contralto
John Tiranno, Tenor

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART:
Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338
Requiem, K. 626
Thursday, April 12, 2012 – 8PM
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
57th Street at 7th Avenue

Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Iván Fischer, Conductor
Dominique Labelle, Soprano
Kelley O’Connor, Mezzo-Soprano
Remaining soloists to be announced

MUSICA SACRA CHORUS
Kent Tritle, Music Director


2010-2011 Season

Baroque Gems of Carissimi, Charpentier and J. S. Bach
Saturday, October 23, 2010 – 8PM
Alice Tully Hall
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

PROGRAM:
J. S. Bach  Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 (Jesus, my joy)
Marc-Antoine Charpentier  Filius Prodigus (The Prodigal Son)
Giacomo Carissimi  Vanitas Vanitatum (Vanity of Vanities)

Musica Sacra Chorus and Chamber Orchestra
Kent Tritle, Conductor

Kathryn Lewek and Jamet Pittman, Sopranos
Kirsten Sollek, Mezzo-Soprano
Ryland Angel, Countertenor
Joseph Mikolaj* and Steven Fox, Tenors
Steven Hrycelak and Damian Savarino, Basses

*First Place winner of the 2010 Oratorio Society Solo Competition

Handel’s Messiah
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 21, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
Carnegie Hall

Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra
Kent Tritle, Conductor

Jennifer Zetlan, Soprano
Matthew Shaw, Countertenor
Colin Balzer, Tenor
Tyler Duncan, Baritone

George Frideric Handel: Israel in Egypt
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.
Carnegie Hall

Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra
Kent Tritle, Conductor

Leslie Fagan and Jamet Pittman, Sopranos
Charlotte Paulsen, Mezzo-Soprano
Oliver Mercer, Tenor
Tyler Duncan, Baritone
Kevin Deas, Bass

MESSAGES TO MYSELF:
A Fascinating Program of New Works by Established and Emerging Composers
Friday, May 13, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.
Alice Tully Hall
Lincoln Center

Musica Sacra Chorus
Kent Tritle, Conductor

PROGRAM:
CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS: Messages to Myself (New York Premiere)
MICHAEL GILBERTSON: Three Madrigals After Dowland (World Premiere)
BEHZAD RANJBARAN: We Are One (New York Premiere)
CHRISTINA WHITTEN THOMAS: Choral de Bêtes
DANIEL BREWBAKER: Mother, Father (World Premiere)
ROBERT CONVERY: The Lamb
ZACHARY PATTEN: Magnificat, Amen (New York Premiere)
AARON JAY KERNIS: Effortlessly love flows (No. 1 from Ecstatic Meditations)
ELLIOT Z. LEVINE: i thank You God


2009-2010 Season

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Alice Tully Hall
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Jonathan G. Michie, Baritone

SCARLATTI: Stabat Mater
J.S. BACH: Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229
J.S. BACH: Cantata 82, “Ich habe genug”
J.S. BACH: Singet dem Herrn, BWV 225

Handel’s Messiah
Monday, December 21
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Carnegie Hall

Julianne Baird, Soprano
Anthony Roth Costanzo, Countertenor
William Ferguson, Tenor
Kevin Deas, Bass

Friday, April 23, 2010
Carnegie Hall

MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major
MOZART: Mass in C Minor

Leslie Fagan, Soprano
Virginia Warnken, Mezzo-soprano
Matthew Garrett, Tenor
Kevin Deas, Bass
Anna Shelest, Piano


2008-2009 Season

BACH: St. John Passion
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall

Rufus Müller, Evangelist
Matt Boehler, Christ
Mary Ellen Callahan, Soprano
Barbara Rearick, Mezzo-soprano
Paul Appleby, Tenor
Tyler Duncan, Baritone
Musica Sacra Chorale Choir

November 18, 2008
World Financial Center

FELDMAN: Rothko Chapel
PÄRT: Stabat Mater
WNYC New Sounds Live performance series, hosted by John Schaefer

Handel’s Messiah
Monday, December 22
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Carnegie Hall

Jamet Pittman, Soprano
Jay Carter, Countertenor
Philippe Castagner, Tenor
Sidney Outlaw, Baritone

Friday, March 20, 2009
Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall

BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
MAHLER: Lieder eine fahrenden Gesellen
SCHUBERT: Fantasia in F Minor

Leslie Fagan, Soprano
John Michael Moore, Baritone
Margo Garrett, Piano
Sunglee Victoria Choi, Piano