Bernstein's bold, original 'Mass' a massive undertaking

When Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" premiered 40 years ago, The New York Times wrote, "At times the Mass is little more than fashionable kitsch." Today it is a work revered for probing religious commentary and the sheer magnitude of forces required for its performance.

The University of Colorado Boulder College of Music brings the event to Denver's Boettcher Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. The performance will feature the CU Opera, the CU Choirs, the University Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Lewis, and more.

Subtitled "A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers," Bernstein's master work is one of the college's featured events this month, as well as a forward look to the CU New Opera Workshop this summer and the recently announced season beginning in the fall.

Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, "Mass" was the opening performance at the John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in 1971. Bernstein combined the Latin Tridentine Mass of the Roman Catholic Church with English-language texts and songs to explore a crisis of faith, blending traditional church music with various popular styles including blues and rock 'n' roll.

Featured ensembles and directors for the performance: University Choir, Jeffrey Gemmell; University Singers, Lawrence Kaptein; Golden Buffalo Men's Chorus, Jim Keller; University Women's Chorus, Riikka Pietilanien-Caffrey; Collegiate Chorale, Dale Heidebrecht; CU Opera, Leigh Holman; University Symphony Orchestra, Gary Lewis; dancers from CU Theater and Dance, Onye Ozuzu; and Young Voices of Colorado, Jena Dickey.

Single tickets start at $15 for the event, which is sponsored by the University of Colorado Office of the President and CU-Boulder Office of the Chancellor. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.cupresents.org, call the CU Presents Box Office at 303-492-8008, or visit the ticket counter at any King Soopers.