Ars Choralis Presents

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana

Ars Choralis, known for its innovative programming and led by Artistic Director Barbara Pickhardt, is pleased to announce two performances of Carl Orff’s masterpiece Carmina Burana on June 22 and 23 at Saint James United Methodist Church, Kingston, NY.

Joining Ars Choralis are Baritone Steven Kirby, Soprano Lily Arbisser, Tenor Chuck Sokolowski, a children’s choir from the Bennett School, led by Harvey Boyer, pianists Kristen Pickhardt Tuttman and Andrea Shaut, and percussion led by Garry Kvistad. Ars Choralis last performed this work in 2013.

Carmina Burana,  a cantata composed in 1935 and 1936 by Carl Orff, is based on 24 poems and songs from a 12^th century Latin manuscript discovered in a monastery in Benedictbeuern, Germany. (“Burana” is Latin for the name of the district). The poetry, written by monks and priests in the monastery, dealt with themes of pleasure, lust, and a simple zest for living. Orff remarked in an interview “I am interested in spiritual realities…[which] include an unquenchable assertion of life…” The language settings of the poems and songs are rendered primarily in Latin, spiced with some old German.

Artwork by Nancy Howell.

Tickets On Sale Now!

Ticket Prices: $25 online; $30 at the door; $10 Students