Theatre of Voices

Among the world’s most distinctive and respected vocal ensembles, Paul Hillier’s Theatre of Voices—praised for “fearlessness, verve, and beauty” (The Times, London)— makes a rare US visit with the West Coast premieres of two substantial recent works by luminaries of American contemporary music.

Julia Wolfe’s Italian Lesson, a Cal Performances co-commission composed specially for these remarkable singers, is a charming bilingual romp. The music is a setting of Cynthia Zarin’s poem of the same name, the English and Italian text suggesting rhythms, tempos, and colors in the score.

Michael Gordon’s A Western is inspired by the 1950s Hollywood western High Noon, starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.