ECSTASY / GRIEF
Choral-Orchestral Cries
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 4:00 PM
Pre-Concert talk with Jaqueline Goldfinger at 3:30pm
The Church of the Holy Trinity
1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tickets: $15 - $45
Ecstasy / Grief is the 2026–27 season-opening concert of Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, featuring The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. The program explores emotional extremes, moving between brutality and bliss, through three works spanning two centuries: Franz Schubert's
Mass No. 2 in G major, D. 167, a lyrical early-Romantic setting of the Latin Mass. Sir James MacMillan's
Seven Last Words from the Cross, a powerful contemporary Scottish work for chorus and strings on Christ's final words. And
Weaver of Eternities, a collaboration between Artistic Director Dominick DiOrio and Philadelphia poet and librettist Jacqueline Goldfinger, featuring award-winning saxophonist Valentin Kovalev.
Upcoming Concerts & Events
What Now? An evening of Joyful Abundance
Sunday, November 8, 2028, 5pm
Celia Bookshop
102 Park Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Join the mentors and poets who created the librettos for our Joyful Abundance commissions and hear an intimate conversation about the project and their creative process. Hear them read from their work and get a behind-the-scenes look at how these new choral pieces came to life. At the heart of Joyful Abundance is a simple question: What now?
DARK/LIGHT: A Feast of Carols
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 2pm & 5pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
22 E. Chestnut Hill Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
The Christmas story has always held both the isolation of a cold night far from home, and the hope that breaks through it. This concert lives in that duality, moving between shadow and radiance across a program spanning the centuries, from new works by living composers to treasured holiday carols. Joined by Timberdale Brass, organist Andy Kotylo, and pianist Ting Ting Wong, Mendelssohn Chorus fills St. Paul's Episcopal Church with music both intimate and resplendent — a feast, in every sense, for the darkest and most hopeful days of the year.
Glorious Sound of Christmas
December 17-20th, 2026
Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center
300 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
The Philadelphia Orchestra lends its iconic sound to timeless holiday classics! The Glorious Sound of Christmas with Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia is an annual Philadelphia tradition beloved by listeners of all ages and the perfect way to continue all holiday celebrations.
Verdi, Requiem
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
Sunday, February 28, 2027, 3:00 PM
Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center
300 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Part of Maestro Louis Scaglione's 30th anniversary season with PYO Music Institute, featuring guest artists including cellist Andres Sanchez-Linares, internationally recognized vocal soloists, and Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia
What people are saying about
Joyful Abundance
As part of ArtPhilly: What Now: 2026—a city-wide festival celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of our country—this concert asks vital questions about America's past, present, and future through the voices of a new generation of artists.
Joyful Abundance represents more than a concert—it's our answer to What Now? Through mentorship with established Philadelphia composers and poets these emerging voices have crafted works that illuminate shared human experiences while celebrating our city's varied creative landscape.
Joyful Abundance launches what will become a permanent bi-annual program, funded in part by the Alan Harler New Ventures Fund, supporting Philadelphia's emerging composers and poets, creating a lasting legacy that extends far beyond this season.
That was one of the best concerts I have been to in Philadelphia, EVER.
Great to have composers and poets be present and speak to the audience. ...focusing on “emerging” Philadelphian artistic collaborations was thrilling and also helped diversify the audience.
This was such a revelatory experience for me. I was so impressed at how the chorus brought so much passion and magic to life.
Remembering Alan Harler
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Alan Harler, Mendelssohn Chorus's beloved Conductor Laureate and former Artistic Director. For over three decades, Maestro Harler transformed our organization into a leading voice in contemporary choral music, commissioning and premiering 58 new works while inspiring countless singers and audiences with his visionary artistry.
Alan's unwavering commitment to adventurous programming and his passion for nurturing emerging composers left an indelible mark on the choral world. His legacy lives on through the Alan Harler New Ventures Fund, which will continue to support the bold, innovative programming that defined his extraordinary tenure with us.
We invite you to watch the live stream of his Celebration of Life held on April 12, 2026.
Mendelssohn Chorus of PHiladelphia
Supporters
Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia is grateful to the following grantmakers for their support of our 2026-2027 Season.
