Pauline Adamek
The Verdi Chorus is celebrating its 41st season with a special Spring 2025 concert, Bella Bellini, featuring powerful opera choruses and thrilling guest soloists. This two-night event will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica on April 26 and 27, 2025, and is conducted by Anne Marie Ketchum, who is marking her 41st consecutive year as Artistic Director. Known for its focus on opera choruses, the Verdi Chorus is Southern California’s premier ensemble dedicated to this dramatic and diverse genre.
This exciting program will showcase selections from the works of Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, including pieces from his operas La Sonnambula, Norma, and I Puritani, along with Giuseppe Verdi’s La Forza del Destino.
The concert will also feature four outstanding guest soloists: soprano Jamie Chamberlin, acclaimed for her “shimmering tones” by Opera News; mezzo-soprano Christina Pezzarossi, known for her captivating performances across the U.S.; baritone Roberto Perlas Gómez, a seasoned performer with over 100 roles to his name; and Chinese-American bass Colin Ramsey, praised for his “majestic, rotund, ravishing bass” by Opera Today.
These performances are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Sahm Family Foundation and the Colburn Foundation, along with funding from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, and the City of Santa Monica’s Arts Commission.
“The title Bella Bellini captures the essence of Bellini’s work. His operas, central to the Italian Bel Canto style, emphasize the beauty of the human voice, with highly embellished melodies that still convey deep emotional expression. Wagner, a fan of Bellini, particularly admired how Bellini’s music intertwined with the text to bring out its full meaning. We’ll highlight this in pieces like Ah dolor from I Puritani—a perfect example of Bellini’s ability to match music with emotional depth.”
Anne Marie Ketchum.
“Despite his short life—he passed away at 33—Bellini remains one of the most beloved composers of his time. Verdi, a master of melody himself, deeply respected Bellini for his contributions to opera. We’re thrilled to feature selections from Bellini’s best-loved works, along with a nod to Verdi, our namesake composer.”
Anne Marie Ketchum.
The Verdi Chorus is a vibrant community of over 50 singers, ranging in age from 20 to 87, who come together every Monday night to rehearse under Ketchum’s direction. This diverse group includes singers from all walks of life—professionals, students, and opera newcomers alike—all united by their passion for opera’s dramatic world.
In line with its mission to nurture young talent, the Verdi Chorus also supports emerging opera singers through its Fox Singers program. Sixteen promising young singers, including college students and early-career artists, assist Ketchum during rehearsals and even perform as featured soloists. The Fox Singers also have the opportunity to showcase their talents at venues across Southern California, including the Annenberg Beach House, the Huntington Library, and the Nixon Library.
The Chorus is also proud of its Sahm Foundation Apprentice Singers program, which provides college-level vocal students the chance to work alongside the Chorus and perform operatic repertoire. Each apprentice receives a scholarship to support their musical education. This season’s apprentices are soprano Janie Dusenberry, soprano Olivia Kellett, tenor Christiaan Westerkamp, tenor Ethan Eliafan, and baritone Eric Cornwell.
Performance details:
- Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:30 pm
- Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- Location: First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tickets are available now at www.verdichorus.org. Priority seating is $50, general admission is $40, seniors (65+) are $30, and students (25 and under with ID) can attend for $10.00
Meet the Artists Behind the Music:
Anne Marie Ketchum, the Verdi Chorus’s Founding Artistic Director, has been leading the ensemble since its inception in 1983. With decades of experience as a singer, conductor, and educator, Ketchum has shaped the Verdi Chorus into one of the most respected opera choruses in Southern California. She has also directed a successful opera program at Pasadena City College, which produced fully staged operas each spring.
Wendy Caldwell, the pianist for the concert, is a sought-after collaborative artist and vocal coach, currently on faculty at UCLA. A native of Canada, Caldwell has worked with numerous universities and opera companies and has been a central figure in the Southern California music scene for years.
The Verdi Chorus’ commitment to excellence in opera continues to thrive, with each concert providing a platform for both seasoned professionals and young emerging artists. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Bellini’s stunning melodies and the dramatic power of opera’s finest choruses.
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