Tucson Chamber Artists is adding another first to its growing list of firsts: a staged production of a choral work.
This weekend the nine-year-old professional choir will give a fully staged performance of Benjamin Britten's "Cantata Misericordium," complete with dancing and acting.
The piece retells the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. A pair of singers - tenor Owen McIntosh and bass Matthew Goinz - will act the roles of the Traveler and the Good Samaritan while a pair of dancers - Artifact Dance Project Artistic Directors Ashley Bowman and Claire Hancock - will dance the roles of the Priest, the Samaritan, the Traveler and the Levite.
"We've never done this before," TCA Music Director Eric Holtan said. "I'm not worrying a bit about pulling it off because I have immense confidence in Claire and Ashley. They are brilliant. But I also think our audience is going to eat it up."
This is the second time Artifact Dance has collaborated with a Tucson choral group. The first was the October 2011 concert of Menotti's "The Unicorn, Gorgon and Manticore" with the University of Arizona Choir.
"It is incredible. It comes together at the last minute as most collaborations do," said Bowman, who choreographed the piece with Hancock and will dance three roles; Hancock will dance the role of the Traveler. "When we are on stage with the choir it is so empowering. It is so incredible. And it really feeds the dance. When you're dancing to live music, especially a huge choral work about a famous biblical story, I can't really describe it. It feeds the theatrical side of the dance."
"I'm so excited about this piece because it speaks to loving our neighbors regardless of our religious differences," Holtan added. "It is a very old story that is timeless and very relevant today as we witness waging war against one another over religion."
The Britten comes at the end of a program that includes Bach's regal Cantata No. 51, featuring trumpeter David Cohen; and Bach's challenging motet "Fürchte dich nicht," which Holtan said continues TCA's exploration of the composer's motets.
"They are like full-blown cantatas in six or nine minutes," Holtan said. "It's quintessential Bach: It's brilliant and beautiful, but it's hard."
Soprano soloist Kathryn Mueller will be featured in both Bach works.
If you go
• What: Tucson Chamber Artists "Bach and Britten."
• Featuring: TCA Chorus and Orchestra, soprano Kathryn Mueller, trumpeter David Cohen, Owen McIntosh as the Traveler and Matthew Goinz as the Samaritan, the Kingfisher String Quartet and members of Artifact Dance Project.
• When and where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 7575 N. Paseo del Norte; 3 p.m. Sunday at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St.
• Tickets: $20 and $30 at www.tucsonchamberartists.org; $5 more at the door.
• Details: 401-2651.
• Program:
Bach's Cantata No. 51.
Bach's "Fürchte dich nicht."
Bach's "Lobet den Herrn."
Britten's "Cantata Misericordium."
