Houston Chamber Choir presents James Whitbourn’s The Diary of Anne Frank, Annelies on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 in partnership with Holocaust Museum Houston. The concerts will be performed on The Mady and Ken Kades stage in the Ethel and Albert Herzstein Theater at the Museum. Artwork by Daniel Mark Duffy.
WHAT: Houston Chamber Choir joins the Holocaust Museum Houston to celebrate the reopening of the expanded museum by presenting the first major setting of The Diary of Anne Frank, Annelies, by English composer James Whitbourn on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22. Hailed as a masterpiece, this groundbreaking work shines new light on a story of the triumph of the human heart over evil. Annelies, which first premiered in 2005, is a 75-minute choral work for soprano soloist, choir and instrumentalists. The libretto was compiled and translated by Melanie Challenger from The Diary of Anne Frank.
In honor of this unique event, Whitbourn is to attend each of the three performances and will speak from the stage. A cocktail reception with a “meet and greet,” photo opportunities and a lecture will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 beginning at 6:30 pm, with the concert at 7:30 pm. Tickets for this exclusive Saturday evening reception and concert are available for $100. Chamber Choir season subscribers can upgrade their tickets from Sunday to Saturday.
Saturday’s event will honor the official grand opening of The Mady and Ken Kades Stage inside the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Theater at Holocaust Museum Houston. Saturday evening concertgoers enjoy the added benefit of touring the brand-new museum spaces that Holocaust Museum Houston has long awaited to share with the community.
WHO: The professional men and women singers of the Houston Chamber Choir will be led by conductor Robert Simpson. He is founder and artistic director of the Houston Chamber Choir. Composer James Whitbourn will speak at each concert. Holocaust Museum Houston benefactors Mady and Ken Kades will be on hand for the Sept. 21 reception.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. (VIP reception) and 7:30 p.m. concert
Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
WHERE: Holocaust Museum Houston, Lester and Sue Smith Campus, 5401 Caroline St., Houston, 77004
TARIFF: Tickets to the Sept. 21 reception and concert are $100. Tickets to the Sept. 22 concerts are $40, with discounts for seniors, members of the military and students available. Season tickets offering further discounts are now on sale at www.houstonchamberchoir.org, and single tickets are available at www.hmh.org.
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About Houston Chamber Choir
The Houston Chamber Choir has established itself as one of the premier professional choirs in the United States, serving Houston through concerts and educational initiatives that enlighten, entertain, and educate people of all ages. Winner of Chorus America’s 2018 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, it has been described by The Tallis Scholars founder Peter Phillips as “one of this country’s leading ensembles.” The Choir also received The American Prize for best choral performance in the country and its Artistic Director Robert Simpson received the award in the conducting category in 2015. The Chamber Choir released its fifth CD, The Complete Choral Works of Maurice Duruflé, with organist Ken Cowan, in April 2019.
Led by Artistic Director Robert Simpson, the Houston Chamber Choir is composed of 24 professional singers, most of whom have studied at the top music schools and conservatories in the United States including Julliard, New England Conservatory, University of Houston, and the University of Texas. These musicians are selected through rigorous auditions from the finest singers in our region and are compensated for all rehearsals and performances.