Carmina Burana

Berkshire Concert Choir will present Carmina Burana by Carl Orff with vocal soloists, two pianos and 5 percussion accompanists, Saturday, May 20, at 3 pm at Berkshire Community College, 1350 West St, Pittsfield.

Artistic Director Matthew O. Thomas selected Carmina Burana, always a crowd pleaser, for its ability to “speak to the soul on a primal level”. Composed in the 20th century, the choral work was based on 24 profane poems written during the 11th and 12th centuries. Its rhythmic and dance-like melodies and texts cover timeless topics like fortune and wealth, drinking, gambling, gluttony, and lust. Says Thomas, “Carmina Burana is a work fraught with regret and release, despair and desiring, and heartbreak and hope.” Many in the audience will recognize the opening movement ‘O Fortuna’ from popular commercials and movie scores.

Berkshire Concert Choir has been presenting fine choral music for 46 years in the Berkshires. The choir currently has 54 singers and a Board of Directors with 12 members from inside and outside the choir. Tickets and a portion of ticket sales are shared with Berkshire organizations serving disadvantaged communities and individuals; this year’s ticket sales beneficiary will be the Christian Center of Pittsfield.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 413-442-6120, OR VISIT US ON FACEBOOK.