Four-time GRAMMY-nominated vocal ensemble Skylark returns this spring with a presentation of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece, the All-Night Vigil (commonly known as ‘Vespers’), performing from their own original edition of the score. Prepared by two GRAMMY-nominated artists — Artistic Director Matthew Guard and acclaimed soprano Fotina Naumenko — this edition based on Rachmaninoff’s original autograph manuscript has quickly gained recognition and is now being adopted by leading choral organizations nationwide.
Skylark will perform on Sunday, May 4, 3PM at Christ Church Greenwich.
The new edition emerged from Matthew Guard’s deep study of Rachmaninoff’s handwritten manuscript, obtained from the Glinka Museum in Moscow. “I was awestruck by the autograph on two levels,” Guard explains. “It was humbling to see every minute detail written in Rachmaninoff’s own hand, and the visual layout of the score, especially portions with extended chant-like phrases without barlines, brought very clear musical ideas of phrasing to life.”
After performing the work with renowned basso profundo Glenn Miller in 2019, Guard was encouraged to create a new edition based on the autograph. When the global pandemic paused Skylark’s concert schedule for over a year, Guard partnered with soprano Fotina Naumenko on this ambitious project. Naumenko’s background in a Russian-American Orthodox family, professional training, and experience studying in St. Petersburg on a Fulbright fellowship created “the perfect mix of skills to help a highly competent choir of non-native speakers bring the work to life in an authentic way.”
This groundbreaking edition is now being performed by Westminster Choir College, the Bethlehem Bach Choir under Dr. Christopher Jackson, and the Conspirare Symphonic Choir with Craig Hella Johnson. The creation of this edition is particularly notable for bringing together two GRAMMY®-nominated artists – Guard was nominated with Skylark for their 2024 album “Clear Voices in the Dark,” while Naumenko received a separate nomination for her solo album “Bespoke Songs” in the Best Classical Solo Vocal Album category.
The performances feature an international lineup of soloists including Lebanese-Palestinian Canadian tenor Haitham Haidar, whose “bright” and “innately lyrical voice” has earned acclaim across North America, Europe, and Asia. London-based mezzo-soprano Luthien Brackett, who has appeared on six GRAMMY-nominated albums and regularly performs with world-class ensembles like The Monteverdi Choir, also joins the roster. The ensemble is complemented by renowned basso profundo Eric Alatorre, best known for his nearly 30-year tenure with Chanticleer, bringing his famously deep, rich voice to the challenging low passages of Rachmaninoff’s score.
For more information and for tickets, visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/36635/performance/11527858?performanceId=11527858
