Everything about Carmina Burana is huge and imposing. It takes more than 100 performers to interpret it. Its libretto is written in Latin and Middle High German. And the whole production is based on medieval poetry encompassing life, death, pleasure and fate.
The VCU Commonwealth Singers mastered it in a month. And for three nights in September, they’ll join the Richmond Symphony, Richmond Ballet and Richmond Symphony Chorus to perform it at Richmond’s Carpenter Theatre. They’ll also be accompanied by soloist and music alumna Zarah Brock (BFA ’15).
“The students have just taken it. They own this piece now,” said Erin Freeman, conductor, who is both the director of choral activities at VCUarts Music and the director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus. “It’s so fun to watch.”