While Seraphic Fire's concert season pauses for the summer, our artists certainly do not.
Across the country, members of Seraphic Fire continue performing with many of America's most respected professional vocal ensembles, bringing the artistry that defines Seraphic Fire to concert halls, festivals, and historic venues nationwide.
This summer, several familiar Seraphic Fire artists have traveled to New Mexico to perform with the acclaimed Santa Fe Desert Chorale, one of the nation's leading professional choirs and a longtime champion of artistic excellence and adventurous programming. Like Seraphic Fire, Santa Fe Desert Chorale brings together elite professional singers from across the country to perform ambitious repertoire at the highest level.
For Seraphic Fire patrons, seeing so many familiar names on the Santa Fe roster is a wonderful reminder that the artists who perform on our stages are among the most sought-after professional singers in the United States.
A Shared Commitment to Artistic Excellence
Professional choral singers rarely perform with only one ensemble.
Instead, many of the nation's finest vocal artists spend their seasons collaborating with leading professional choirs throughout the country. These organizations share a commitment to artistic excellence, thoughtful programming, and inspiring audiences through exceptional music.
Santa Fe Desert Chorale is one of those organizations.
Each summer, singers gather in historic Santa Fe to perform in beautiful venues, including the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, whose remarkable acoustics have made it one of the country's most memorable places to experience choral music. Against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, audiences experience concerts where music, history, architecture, and breathtaking acoustics come together in extraordinary ways.
Showcasing Extraordinary Repertoire
Throughout the festival, Seraphic Fire artists perform music spanning centuries, styles, and traditions. Among this summer's highlights are Renaissance Splendor, Homecoming, and Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil, three programs that demonstrate the remarkable versatility required of today's professional singers.
Renaissance Splendor features masterpieces by composers including Giovanni Gabrieli, Claudio Monteverdi, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Heinrich Schütz, and Gregorio Allegri, highlighted by Monteverdi's joyful Beatus vir and Allegri's breathtaking Miserere mei, Deus, one of the most celebrated works of the Renaissance.
Homecoming celebrates America's 250th anniversary through newly commissioned works inspired by American folk traditions, exploring themes of home, community, and belonging through contemporary choral music.
Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil, often called Vespers, is considered one of the greatest masterpieces ever written for unaccompanied choir. Its rich harmonies and the famous fifth movement, "Nunc Dimittis" ("Lord, Now Lettest Thou"), continue to captivate singers and audiences more than a century after it was composed.
Familiar Faces on the Santa Fe Stage
Among the Seraphic Fire artists performing this summer are:
- Dr. James K. Bass, Seraphic Fire Artistic Director (performing as bass)
- Elisse Alban, soprano
- Brad Diamond, tenor
- John Buffett, bass
- Chelsea Helm, soprano
- Michael Jones, tenor
- Elijah McCormack, soprano
- Sarah Moyer, soprano
- Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone
- Addy Sterrett, soprano
While audiences know James as the conductor leading Seraphic Fire into its exciting new chapter, many may not realize he also maintains an active career as one of the country's leading professional basses. This summer, he returns to the singer's chair, performing alongside colleagues from across the nation with Santa Fe Desert Chorale.
The same is true for many members of Seraphic Fire's roster. Throughout the year, they perform with leading choirs, orchestras, opera companies, festivals, and recording projects before returning to South Florida each season.
Looking Ahead to Season 24
As our artists continue sharing their talents across the country this summer, preparations are already underway for Seraphic Fire's 24th season under Artistic Director and GRAMMY Award-winning conductor Dr. James K. Bass.
Whether performing beneath the vaulted ceilings of Santa Fe's Cathedral Basilica or on stages across South Florida, these remarkable artists continue to remind us that great music knows no boundaries. We are proud to call them members of the Seraphic Fire family.
Season subscriptions are available now and remain the best way to reserve your favorite seats before single tickets go on sale in August.
Visit SeraphicFire.org or call our friendly and helpful staff at 305.285.9060. They'll be happy to answer your questions and help you choose the subscription package that's right for you.
