chant encounters

The 2026–27 Season

For 35 years, Cappella Romana has sung the ancient chant traditions of the Christian East and West — from Byzantine and Old Roman melodies to the Znamenny and Kievan repertoires of the Slavic world. Our choral programs have always responded to these same foundational melodies, letting lush harmonies and sublime complexity grow organically from their roots. Our 35th Anniversary Season, CHANT ENCOUNTERS, is a celebration of that ever-present source of inspiration.

We open with Rachmaninoff’s incomparable All-Night Vigil, where you’ll hear as well the Znamenny, Kievan, and Greek chant melodies that sustain it — a window into the deep roots beneath one of the choral repertoire’s crowning achievements. In December, we gather around the feast of Saint Nicholas for music honoring the beloved bishop from both Greek and Latin traditions, including Dufay’s celebrated motet O gemma lux — with a chant melody at its heart — and Arvo Pärt’s intense English setting of the Orthodox hymn for the saint. January brings medieval chant from Old Rome and New Rome (Constantinople) in celebration of Epiphany, followed in February with music by St. Kassia, the ninth-century Byzantine nun who stands as the earliest female composer from whom we have music. And we close the season with an ecstatic Pentecostal concert from the Greek tradition, including a stunning chant that evokes speaking in tongues, Byzantine-style.

We’re also delighted to welcome back The Tudor Choir as a guest in our series, with an extraordinary program of Renaissance favorites anchored by John Sheppard’s deeply moving motet Libera nos — itself grounded in Sarum Chant.

We can’t wait to bring you on this journey with us. Where will the melodies take you? What will be YOUR Chant Encounters? Join us and find out.

John Michael Boyer
Interim Music Director

I love this music, and I know you do too. Cappella Romana’s 35th Anniversary season invites you into Chant Encounters: Byzantine, Latin, and Slavic—ancient with modern: “a sound world of unique beauty” (Gramophone).

Following Alexander Lingas becoming Music Director Emeritus this past spring, John Michael Boyer will lead this season as Interim Music Director. Welcome John! We look forward to announcing our new Music Director soon following an international search.

John will lead five concerts in the season, opening with Rachmaninoff’s stunning All-Night Vigil in October. He’ll continue directing music for St. Nicholas, the Feast of Epiphany, by the earliest female composer Kassia, and thrilling music for Pentecost. And we are pleased to invite The Tudor Choir as a guest ensemble this season. 

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS THIS YEAR

Season subscribers receive a special early discount on tickets, saving 15% if you order five or six concerts, and 10% if you order three or four. You’ll also receive first notice for special events.

PLUS FREE TICKETS TO SHARE

Subscribers receive one free ticket on request for every three concerts in your season package. It’s the perfect way to introduce Cappella Romana to friends and family!

It’s time to secure your season tickets to have your own Chant Encounters!

See you soon!

Mark Powell
Executive Director