Aveline Kirana
The Oratorio Society of New York has unveiled its highly anticipated 2026-27 season, a rich tapestry of choral masterpieces and compelling new works that will resonate throughout New York City’s iconic performance venues. This upcoming season promises a deeply engaging experience for audiences, showcasing the Oratorio Society’s commitment to both historical repertoire and the vital evolution of choral music. The programming highlights a blend of beloved cornerstones of the choral tradition alongside significant contemporary contributions, underscoring the enduring power and adaptability of the human voice in collective expression.
Season Opening: A Meditative Journey Through Grief and Reflection
The season commences with a profound exploration of solace and remembrance. On November 10, 2026, at the prestigious Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, the Oratorio Society will present a program of exceptional depth and emotional resonance. The centerpiece of this opening concert is Gabriel Fauré’s sublime Requiem. Composed between 1888 and 1890, Fauré’s Requiem stands apart from other settings of the Mass for the Dead for its gentle, serene, and ultimately hopeful perspective on mortality. Rather than focusing on the terror of divine judgment, Fauré offers a comforting vision of eternal rest. The work’s intimate scale and exquisite melodic lines have captivated listeners for generations, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the choral repertoire.
Complementing Fauré’s masterpiece will be Ludwig van Beethoven’s Elegischer Gesang (Elegiac Song), Op. 118. Written in 1814, this poignant work for four solo voices and orchestra is a moving tribute to friends who had died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Its melancholic beauty and solemn mood provide a fitting counterpoint to the Requiem, offering a moment of shared reflection on loss and remembrance.
The program also features Johannes Brahms’s Vier Gesänge (Four Songs), Op. 17. These four lyrical pieces for women’s voices, two horns, and harp, composed in 1862, are a testament to Brahms’s skill in crafting intimate and evocative choral miniatures. The inclusion of these rarely performed gems adds a layer of refined artistry to the opening concert, showcasing the versatility of the Oratorio Society’s ensemble.
A significant contemporary voice will be introduced with Jasmine Barnes’s Portraits, specifically her powerful work Douglass and Tubman. This piece, often drawing inspiration from the lives and struggles of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, promises to be a potent and timely addition to the program. Barnes’s music is known for its emotional directness and innovative harmonic language, offering a contemporary perspective on themes of freedom, resilience, and historical significance. The juxtaposition of these historical and contemporary works is a deliberate choice, aiming to demonstrate the continuity of human experience and artistic expression across centuries.
The soloists for this inaugural concert are the esteemed Zen Wu and Jesse Blumberg, whose vocal prowess will undoubtedly bring depth and nuance to the diverse repertoire. Under the masterful direction of Kent Tritle, Music Director of the Oratorio Society, this opening performance is poised to set a high standard for the entire season, inviting audiences into a space of profound musical and emotional engagement.
Mid-Season Radiance: A Timeless Holiday Tradition
As the year draws to a close, the Oratorio Society will present a beloved holiday tradition: George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Performed on December 21, 2026, at the grand Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, this perennial favorite is a cornerstone of the Christmas season for many. Handel’s oratorio, first performed in 1742, has transcended its religious origins to become a universal celebration of hope, joy, and redemption. Its iconic choruses, such as "And the Glory of the Lord" and "Hallelujah," are instantly recognizable and deeply stirring, while its solo arias offer moments of profound beauty and technical brilliance.
The Oratorio Society has assembled a stellar quartet of soloists for this performance: Jennifer Zetlan (soprano), Daniel Moody (countertenor), Brian Giebler (tenor), and Jonathan Woody (bass-baritone). Each of these artists brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished reputation to their roles, promising a rendition of Messiah that is both historically informed and artistically compelling. Kent Tritle will once again lead the orchestra and chorus, ensuring a performance that captures the full majesty and spiritual power of Handel’s masterpiece. The tradition of performing Messiah during the holiday season speaks to its enduring appeal and its ability to bring communities together in shared musical experience. The Oratorio Society’s commitment to this work underscores its role as a custodian of significant choral traditions.
A Journey into the Mystical: Rachmaninoff’s "All-Night Vigil"
The early months of 2027 will bring audiences into the ethereal soundscape of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil (also known as the Vespers). On February 7, 2027, a selection of excerpts from this profound work will be presented at the majestic Cathedral of St. John the Divine, an acoustically magnificent space that will enhance the spiritual and sonic qualities of Rachmaninoff’s music. Composed in 1915, the All-Night Vigil is a masterpiece of a cappella choral writing, drawing deeply from the traditions of Russian Orthodox chant. Rachmaninoff, a devout Orthodox Christian, poured his soul into this composition, creating music of immense beauty, spiritual depth, and emotional power.
The work is characterized by its rich harmonies, its soaring melodic lines, and its evocative use of vocal textures. Rachmaninoff masterfully blends ancient liturgical melodies with his own unique harmonic language, resulting in a sound world that is both deeply traditional and strikingly original. The selection of excerpts will likely highlight some of the most beloved and impactful movements, such as "Bogoroditse Devo" (Rejoice, O Virgin) and "Slava v Vyshnikh Bogu" (Glory to God in the Highest). Conducting this significant performance will be David Rosenmeyer, whose expertise in choral repertoire is well-regarded. Performing Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil in a cathedral setting amplifies the sacred nature of the music and offers a unique opportunity for the audience to immerse themselves in its spiritual resonance.
Celebrating a Golden Anniversary: The Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition
A significant milestone in the Oratorio Society’s history will be celebrated on April 10, 2027, with the 50th Anniversary Concert of the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition Finals. This event, held at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, honors a venerable institution that has been instrumental in nurturing and launching the careers of countless young vocal artists. The Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition, established in 1977, has become one of the most prestigious and respected competitions of its kind in the United States. Named after Lyndon Woodside, a beloved former president of the Oratorio Society, the competition provides a vital platform for emerging singers to showcase their talent, receive professional feedback, and gain valuable performance experience.
Over the past five decades, the competition has attracted thousands of applicants and has awarded significant prizes, including performance opportunities with the Oratorio Society and other prominent musical organizations. Many past winners have gone on to achieve successful international careers, a testament to the competition’s discerning jury and its commitment to identifying exceptional talent. The 50th anniversary concert will undoubtedly feature performances by some of the competition’s most distinguished alumni, alongside the finalists of the current year, creating a celebratory atmosphere that reflects on the competition’s enduring legacy and its impact on the future of choral music. This event is not only a celebration of individual talent but also a reaffirmation of the Oratorio Society’s dedication to fostering the next generation of oratorio singers.
A Monumental Conclusion: Bach’s "Mass in B Minor"
The Oratorio Society’s 2026-27 season will culminate with a performance of one of the most profound and monumental works in the Western musical canon: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232. Scheduled for May 3, 2027, at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, this performance promises to be a fitting and majestic conclusion to a season of exceptional programming. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, largely assembled in the final years of his life (completed around 1749), is a comprehensive and deeply spiritual summation of his musical genius. It is a work of immense complexity, intellectual rigor, and sublime beauty, drawing upon both Lutheran traditions and the Catholic liturgy.
The Mass in B Minor is often considered Bach’s magnum opus, a compendium of his compositional techniques and his profound understanding of sacred music. From the awe-inspiring "Kyrie" to the jubilant "Gloria," the contemplative "Credo," the tender "Sanctus," and the triumphant "Osanna" and "Dona nobis pacem," each movement is a masterpiece in its own right. The work’s intricate counterpoint, its rich harmonic language, and its profound emotional depth have captivated musicians and audiences for centuries.
The Oratorio Society has assembled an impressive roster of vocal soloists for this performance: Elisse Albian (soprano), Lucia Bradford (soprano), Maximillian Jansen (tenor), and Kevin Deas (bass). These artists are renowned for their interpretive skills and their ability to navigate the demanding vocal lines of Bach’s music. Under the direction of Kent Tritle, the performance is expected to be a powerful and moving rendition of this sacred masterpiece, showcasing the Oratorio Society’s vocal virtuosity and its commitment to presenting the greatest works of choral literature. The Mass in B Minor stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and artistry, and its performance by the Oratorio Society of New York will undoubtedly be a highlight of the 2026-27 season.
The Oratorio Society of New York’s 2026-27 season represents a thoughtfully curated journey through the vast landscape of choral music. By balancing iconic masterpieces with significant contemporary voices and celebrating its own legacy of artistic development, the Society continues to solidify its position as a vital cultural institution, enriching the lives of New Yorkers and beyond with the transformative power of choral performance.
