The critically-acclaimed vocal ensemble Majesty’s Men will once again perform at the historic and beautiful St John Cantius Church in Chicago, on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 7:30 pm. Their program, “The Flower of Beauty”, will feature two newly-commissioned works on Marian themes: “Ave Maris Stella” by our composer-in-residence Mark Nowakowski, and “Stabat Mater” by the well-known Catholic writer and composer Peter Kwasniewski. Both composers will be present at this concert. Also featured will be several motets by the brilliant Tudor composer William Byrd, who died in 1623 and could be said to be the greatest English composer before Henry Purcell. Marian themes continue in “Ave Maris Stella” by the 15th century French composer Guillaume Dufay. There will also be several audience favorites, notably “A Cloud Enveloped Them” by Chad McCoy, which made a huge impact last year. And we will once again present the 13th-century “Seacht nDolás na Maighdine Múire”, the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary, sung in Irish Gaelige in Chris Crilly’s beautiful arrangement. There will be a reception after the concert in the Cafe San Giovanni.
Performers:
Richard Childress, countertenor
Matthew Dean, tenor
Joe Labozetta, baritone
Nathaniel Adams, baritone
Ian Prichard, bass