The Agony and the Ecstasy: Music of the Sistine Chapel
Vox Obscura invites you to an evening of Renaissance sacred music inspired by the traditions of the Sistine Chapel, one of Europe’s most revered places of worship. The program offers thoughtfully crafted performances of chant and polyphony, with works by composers such as Josquin, Palestrina, Lotti, and the hauntingly beautiful Miserere mei, Deus by Allegri. Sung primarily a cappella or with light string accompaniment, this concert explores the passion and drama of the great Renaissance musicians, inspired by the art and history of the Sistine Chapel.
Viscera, the Incarnate Polyphony (early choral music for lent)
Joined by Oktavist Alexander Mayang, the professional chamber choir Vox Obscura explores the origins of sacred music from ancient Christian hymns and chants to complex western polyphony - all within a meditative, Lenten framework. This programmatic concert examines the physical relationship between man and creator within the living, breathing landscape of early music. Presented in the resonant acoustics of Concordia’s Good Shepherd Chapel in Irvine and St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Monrovia, Viscera will also serve as the foundation for Vox Obscura's debut album.
MUSIC OF THE ALL NIGHT VIGIL: An evening of early choral music from the east, with excerpts from Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 7:00 PM (60 minutes)
Vox Obscura, Early Music Consort
with Alexander Mayang, Oktavist
(SEATING LIMITED: order online in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door)
Vox Obscura presents an evening of early Byzantine and Slavic choral music, uniquely structured around key excerpts from Rachmaninoff’s legendary All-Night Vigil. Joined by guest oktavist Alexander Mayang, the professional 16-voice choir will explore some of the earliest examples of sacred music - including the oldest known Christian hymn and the ancient chants that have inspired over a millennium of music making.
This one-of-a-kind program weaves together ancient musical traditions with one of the most beloved choral masterworks of the 20th century, performed in the world class acoustics of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine.
'Vox Obscura' unites professional musicians in Southern California to perform cultivated concerts inspired by timeless sacred, folk, and art repertoire from a wide variety of early music traditions. Our music programs are carefully curated to restore the original spirit and intent of the composer for a modern audience. Learn more at Voxobscura.org
Tickets
$20 General Admission
$30 premium admission
$12 Students & children
Venue Address: St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church: 4949 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604
Contact us at vox.obscura.info@gmail.com if you have any questions. Refunds are offered until 24 hours before the concert date
Odyssée, Choral Music Across the Renaissance
Vox Obscura performs at First Lutheran Church in Venice CA in their popular Masters in the Chapel concert Series. This concert is offered free of charge thanks to the support of Masters in the Chapel donors and will explore the diverse landscape of the European Renaissance through choral and instrumental music from England to Eastern Europe - and everywhere in between. Featuring repertoire by Josquin, Tallis, Byrd, Fernandes, Guerrero, Gesualdo, Falconieri, and more!
Come Ye Sons of Arts: Henry Purcell's Ode to Queen Mary and other Selections for Chamber Orchestra
Vox Obscura joins the Concordia Sinfonietta to perform Purcell’s nine-movement birthday ode to Queen Mary. Located on the campus of Concordia University Irvine in the intimate Zhang Orchestra Hall. Tickets are on sale at CUI.EDU/TICKETS