Madrigal Singers perform three “cabaret madrigals” by contemporary American composer William Bolcom and lyricist Arnold Weinstein, who also collaborated on notable operas such as “McTeague” and “A View From the Bridge.” These three songs vary from the humor of “Amor” and “Places to Live,” to the plaintive “Waitin’.”
Shakespeare’s sonnets are the theme of three songs by 20th century Anglo-American composer George Shearing and one by English Renaissance composer Thomas Morley. Soprano Cayla Crofts and soprano Tiffany Guenter solo on two of Shearing’s, with Justin Lomiglio adding bass guitar to Shearing’s “Fie on Sinful Fantasy.” The 26-voice ensemble also performs madrigals by Balthazar Donato, Thomas Ford and Gabriel Faure.
Taking over in the second half, the smaller ensemble called Mad River Transit explores jazz, blues and popular music, including Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish,” Duke Ellington’s “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” (arranged by Madrigal and MRT director Harley Muilenburg), Victor Young’s “Stella By Starlight,” and Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Call Me Irresponsible.”
With numerous solos and group combinations on the program, the singers are Jessi Shieman, Elena Tessler, Brandy Rose, Molly Severdia, Jo Kuzelka, Kalea Hammond, Cindy Cress, Amy Chalfant, Sara Scibetta, Claire Bent, Joseph Welnic, Dolan Leckliter, Lucas Reichle, Gabriel Holman and Colin Wagner. They are accompanied by Darius Brotman on piano, Charles Welty on bass and Dylan Williams on drums.
The HSU Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit perform on Sunday May 1 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by HSU Music Department. http://HSUMusic.blogspot.com.