Music lovers on the Treasure Coast are in for a monumental evening as the Vero Beach Choral Society prepares to present one of the most electrifying and recognizable choral-orchestral works in music history. Carl Orff’s dramatic secular cantata, Carmina Burana, will take center stage on Tuesday, April 14, at the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts in Vero Beach.
The highly anticipated performance will bring together a massive array of local and professional talent. The Vero Beach Choral Society will combine voices with the Indian River Charter High School Choir, all accompanied by a professional orchestra. The one-hour concert will be presented without an intermission to maintain the primitive energy, raw emotion, and driving rhythms that have made the 1935 composition a staple of classical music.
“This is a towering work. Whether you’re listening to it, performing it or conducting– Carmina Burana is an unforgettable experience.” – Dr. Jacob Craig
Directing the ambitious performance is Dr. Jacob Craig, a well-known pianist and prominent arts figure on the Treasure Coast. Dr. Craig serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor for the Vero Beach Choral Society, as well as the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. Under his baton, the combined choirs and orchestra will navigate the intensely powerful piece, which is famously based on 24 medieval poems exploring themes of fate, fortune, and earthly pleasure.
The evening will be further elevated by the vocal prowess of two highly acclaimed guest soloists:
- Lisa Eden (Soprano): A two-time Grammy Award winner, Eden has performed at major global venues including the Kennedy Center and the Los Angeles Opera, where she appeared in the Grammy-winning production of The Ghosts of Versailles. She has been highly praised by The Washington Post for her warm, velvety tone.
- Dr. Anthony Baron (Baritone): Currently serving as the Chorus Master for Vero Beach Opera and Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, Dr. Baron brings extensive experience, including leading roles in Le nozze di Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites, and La Traviata.
Attendees will undoubtedly recognize the cantata’s thunderous opening movement, “O Fortuna,” a choral arrangement that has permeated mainstream culture. Since its prominent mainstream exposure in the 1981 film Excalibur, the epic movement has frequently been utilized in movie trailers, commercials, and by sports teams aiming to energize crowds with its sheer dramatic intensity.
The host organization, the Vero Beach Choral Society, has been thrilling audiences and enriching the Indian River County cultural landscape since its formation in 1984. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the community-based ensemble relies on public support to fund not only its sweeping musical performances but also its annual Young Musician’s Scholarship, which benefits local students in grades 6 through 12. Auditions are open to singers of all ages, with rehearsals taking place on Monday evenings at their home base, the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach.
Event Details at a Glance:
- Date & Time: Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 PM
- Location: Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts, 1895 St. Edwards Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
- Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for students
Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at the Vero Beach Choral Society’s official website. For more information regarding the concert or local audition opportunities, residents can reach out directly by calling 772-217-5470.
