Cappella Romana Celebrates 25 Years!

Twenty-five years ago today (April 26, 1991) Cappella Romana made its debut in San Francisco!

“Back in 1991, Portland native Alexander Lingas, the group’s artistic director, was living in San Francisco, singing as the assistant cantor at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral while studying for his doctoral exam. A recent earthquake had damaged the church, and an effort was under way to raise money for a renovation. Lingas, who had previously sung with the Portland State Chamber Choir and Portland Symphonic Choir, rallied friends from the Northwest and put together a benefit concert of ancient songs. Their warm-up gig at Portland’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral was Cappella’s first official show. ‘From the start,’ Lingas says, ‘the audiences were very appreciative that we were bringing them music that was often new or unknown.’”

Explore more of Cappella Romana’s history in Portland Monthly’s January 2010 feature.

Celebrate by saving 50% on our 25 years of recording!

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New Mystics From East & West

Our season closes with a program of music by two important modern voices: the Greek Orthodox composer Michael Adamis and Scottish Catholic James MacMillan. The choral works of both composers share a deeply personal quality and a rare devotion to ancient chant: Byzantine for Adamis and Gregorian for MacMillan. Colorful sonorities and intricate structures give the music of each an unmistakably mystical quality.