The Oregonian Explores Cappella Romana’s History

Brett Campbell explores Cappella Romana’s history in The Oregonian before this weekend’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations:

“When Alexander Lingas moved to San Francisco in 1990, the Greek Orthodox cathedral where he’d just been appointed associate cantor lay in ruins, devastated by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Lingas wanted to help the church rebuild – and the only contribution he could offer was music.

The Portland native had sung in his Greek Orthodox church, with local choir Cantores in Ecclesia and with the Portland State Chamber Choir. So he and his Portland musical friends piled into a van and headed south to perform a benefit concert. The church offered them lodging and a lavish, post-concert spaghetti dinner with freshly cured Greek olives.

After hearing the Northwesterners sing Greek Orthodox music from ancient Byzantium as well as contemporary Greek-American composers and more, nearly 300 listeners donated money for cathedral reconstruction. Lingas and friends decided to keep making music.…” —Brett Campbell, The Oregonian

Read the full piece on OregonLive.com

25th Anniversary Celebration!

Orthodox Music: Ancient And Modern

A reprise of Cappella Romana’s 1991 début performance, including selections from the Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil, rarely heard Byzantine chants from Constantinople, and Greek American choral works.

A Night on the Aegean: 25th Anniversary Gala

Following Orthodox Music: Ancient & Modern the opening performance of Cappella Romana’s 2016-17 Season