Mark your calendars for a night of enchantment as the Grammy® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir delivers an unforgettable musical experience with Love Songs & Sonnets. Taking place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the acoustically stunning South Main Baptist Church, this post-Valentine’s celebration is a musical love letter spanning centuries, genres, and styles. Under the baton of Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, the Choir’s new Artistic Director Designate, the program promises to transport audiences with heartfelt melodies and poetic masterpieces.

From the soul-stirring madrigals of the Renaissance to the jazzy brilliance of George Shearing and the nostalgic charm of American barbershop, Love Songs & Sonnets is a musical tapestry woven with timeless tales of love and longing.

 Houston Chamber Choir _Jeff Grass photo 

A Journey Through Love in Song

Prepare for an emotional odyssey as the evening unfolds with:

Monteverdi’s Madrigals: The concert begins with the intensity of two mesmerizing Renaissance works, Si ch’io vorrei morire and Quel augellin che canta. These intricate compositions, meant to be sung without a conductor, evoke vivid romantic imagery with breathtaking vocal complexity.

Brahms’ Vier Gesänge (Op. 17): A pinnacle of Romantic choral repertoire, these lush treble choir pieces, accompanied by horns and harp, capture the tender intimacy of Brahms’ private rehearsals with the Hamburg Frauenchor.

Schubert’s Ständchen: This delightful work for tenor-bass chorus features a mezzo-soprano solo and piano accompaniment that evokes the gentle, tiptoeing charm of a serenade.

Holst’s Choral Folksongs: Experience Holst’s captivating arrangements of There was a tree and I love my love. These folksongs, imbued with simplicity and expressive depth, tell stories of love lost and found amidst 20th-century innovation.

Songs of Solomon: Two contemporary settings, His Left Hand by Sven-David Sandström and I am the rose of Sharon by Ivo Antognini, explore the sacred, sensual poetry of the Biblical text. With lush harmonies and tender expression, these pieces evoke a timeless romance.

Shearing’s Shakespearean Jazz: In an imaginative twist, British jazz legend George Shearing brings Shakespeare’s words to life with his Songs and Sonnets. This brilliant fusion of classical literature and modern jazz is both playful and profound.

Barbershop Finale: The program closes with a uniquely American touch – a clever arrangement of Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You from The Music Man. The rich harmonies of barbershop singing provide a nostalgic and heartwarming end to the evening.

A Night to Remember

Following the concert, guests are invited to an exclusive “after-prom” celebration featuring more music, refreshments, and fun – the perfect way to cap off a night of romance and song.

About the Houston Chamber Choir

Celebrated for their artistic excellence, the Houston Chamber Choir consists of 24 professional vocalists from diverse backgrounds, representing some of the nation’s finest music programs. With performances spanning the U.S. and beyond, their Grammy®-winning artistry continues to inspire and captivate audiences.

 Houston Chamber Choir _Jeff Grass photo  

Event Details

• When: Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. CT
• Where: South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main St., Houston, TX 77002
• Tickets: $10–$45. Secure your spot at www.houstonchamberchoir.org/2024-2025-season/love-songs-and-sonnets.
• Parking: Ample free parking is available in the church lot.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the many faces of love through the power of music. Whether you're a fan of classical masterpieces, jazzy rhythms, or nostalgic harmonies, Love Songs & Sonnets is sure to steal your heart.