

Dr. Dawn O. Willis, Artistic Director
Looking Forward to a Glorious Anniversary Season
Bella Voce is celebrating our 20th anniversary with concerts full of glorious music this season! We are thrilled to have the University of Vermont String Ensemble joining us in December to perform Antonio Vivaldi’s delightful and timeless Gloria in what is believed to be its original voicing for treble voices with orchestra. We’ll also highlight the holiday season with stunning settings of carols and songs of winter.​ Our celebration continues in the spring with two performances of Francis Poulenc’s exquisite Gloria with the Solaris Vocal Ensemble as guest artists and a full orchestra. Poulenc’s Gloria is one of the outstanding gems of the vast range of choral repertoire. It is a vibrant work full of dramatically contrasting movements ranging from driving rhythmic passages for voices with brass and percussion as well as introspective passages for voices lyrically interwoven with winds and strings. These concerts will also feature beloved selections drawn from our 20 years of singing together!​We’re deeply thankful for all the wonderful people that have helped Bella Voce grow and flourish over these years! It’s heartwarming to remember the stirring music we have sung, the wonderful musicians we’ve shared performances with and all the places we have traveled. We are eager to share this glorious music with you this season and hope you’ll come and celebrate with us! With joy and gratitude, Dawn Willis Artistic Director
​​Song to the Moon
This evocative piece – the final installment of our season-long offering of new Bella Voce recordings – is a favorite of ours. Notes from the composer: "This classic story was written by the poet, Jaroslav Kvapil, where a magical figure who lives in water has extraordinary powers, including immortality. This water nymph falls in love with a prince, who frequently comes to the lake to drink and hunt. The water nymph, willing to give up immortality for love, asks the moon (“la luna”) to find the prince, tell him to return, and tell him that the nymph loves him."
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By Z. Randall Stroope
Rebecca Watson, flute
Sarah Pettineo, oboe
Marne Lopez, piano
Conducted by
Dr. Dawn Willis, Artistic Director
Available for purchase
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HELP US TO FULFILL OUR MISSION
Bella Voce's Mission is to promote choral music of quality through performances of high artistic value; provide members with the opportunity to enhance their musical knowledge and skills; enrich the quality of life of members and audience; serve as role models to women singers of all ages; and promote the value of singing as a life-long avocation.