The conductor has opened up a rarely entered world within the Clausura, and given us a window into ethereal music-making that transcends the normal choir repertoire. She has also pioneered the juxtaposition of this world and music with the 'outer' culture and music. Singers and conductor move as one as they transport us to the ether of these other realms, enriching our lives, broadening our sensibilities, and hopefully, making us deeper in all our endeavors. Thank you!!
Each time I attend a Cappella Clausura concert, I come away not only with an appreciation for the beauty of the music and the talent and dedication of the conductor and musicians, but I am also changed within. If more people had the opportunity to hear this very special music, I believe that they, too, would come away calmer, more at peace in our hectic and often troubled world, and connected to a centuries-old tradition.
I have listened to Cappella Clausura's recordings and have also attended their performance of Gloria, a Renaissance Christmas pageant. The music is hauntingly beautiful and serene. I support this group's work in preserving and performing early music of women.
At the last concert I attended, I felt like I was bathed in glorious sound. The purity and beauty of the voices, seemingly blending effortlessly, was so uplifting. And the programs are fascinating. Where else can you hear 9th century Greek chant, bawdy lyrics composed by frustrated married ladies in medieval times, and cloistered women's passionate praises of God? I will return again and again to see hear what other music was written by women in the past that we've known nothing about!
I had heard of the music of Cappella Clausure and attended my first concert in fall 2008. The music from the 14th-17th century captures the little known effort of women and nuns from that time period. It was beautiful music. I am not a student of music but was very taken with the amount of work to uncover these composers and then the incredible effort to reproduce it. I have attended several concerts since then as well as obtained a CD of the music. I believe this group provides a real cultural inspiration that is often overlooked.
As a Board Member of another organization, I have known the Capella Clausura's conductor as an active, energized and inspired co-member of the Greater Boston Choral Consortium. As a music professional, I have performed in one concert series with the group and am impressed with the caliber of the performers as well as the relevance of the repertoire. This is a wonderful artistic and learning experience not only for audiences but also for performers seeking to expand their horizons.
I have been attending Capella Clausura concerts for years, and have always been impressed with them. The music is beautiful, and they have a wide-ranging repertoire spanning many centures. I especially like the fact that Clausura focuses on music by women composers, thereby demonstrating that women have always produced great artistic works. This not only corrects the historical record, it also inspires today's women artists to achieve.
I make my living singing, and so I don't go to many concerts, but I never miss an opportunity to hear Cappella Clausura. Their programs are always interesting, varied, and well sung. The sound is often transporting as the singers join their voices in beautiful warm, rich tones. Whether there are 2, 5 or 12 people singing, they seem to be of one mind. It's more than just being well rehearsed and directed, which they are. They seem to share a deep passion for the music, which comes through in every performance.
I've attended most of Cappella Clausura's concerts since their inception. The experience of listening to the exquisite, ethereal harmonies of the gorgeous voices in this group has been transforming. Though centuries old, the music in their repertoire was new to me and it's been a pleasure to hear works performed that otherwise would have little, if any, exposure. Cappella Clausura shouldn't be a well-kept secret - they deserve a large audience.
I am not new to early music nor to choruses of women's voices, but my first Capella Clausura concert a few years ago presented me with a completely unexpected experience. I had no notion that this small, virtually unknown (at that time) group would give me one of my most memorable musical encounters. I've been to many concerts since then of course and grow more and more enamored of this wonderful ensemble. Their repertoire is wonderfully varied--they always surprise. Some reviews I've read used words like "...soaring!" and "...incandescent!" and I don't think they were exaggerating. The joy for me in listening to the voices of Capella Clausura in concert or on tape, is that these are powerful voices that are tender and delicate as well--it's simply beautiful singing, and the control and passion together are breathtaking. They feature mainly women composers, which I love--including many 15th century women never heard before. I once sat behind a woman who had composed the piece they were performing, and she was weeping. So was I.
This unique, wonderful performing group presents memorable but neglected music written by and for women. Fans of early music will find lots to love in their programming, while they also perform selections from all genres, including music by contemporary women composers. With dance and multi-media coming into some concerts, you won't find a more adventurous, appealing musical enterprise in Boston.