InChoir

Ever imagine what it's like to be in the OBF Chorus? Step up and sing for yourself right alongside chorus members in an actual rehearsal of the B Minor Mass. Limited to the first 100 registrants; to register, simply purchase a ticket.
OBF Chorus, Kathy Romey, conductor

B Minor Mass - Portland

Near the end of his life, Johann Sebastian Bach refined and assembled 25 years of his most important musical ideas into one great statement: the B Minor Mass. A summation of his mastery and a testament to his devout faith, the Mass became a milestone of Western culture. Helmuth Rilling, OBF artistic director and one of the work's most astute interpreters, leads the Festival Chorus and Orchestra in our first concert in Portland since 1981.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Christopher Cock, tenor; Michael Nagy, bass; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

OBF Hayward: PICCFEST

The 350+ singers of Eugene's annual youth choral festival perform their annual kick off to the OBF.
Massed choirs of the Pacific International Children's Choir Festival

Inside Line: Robert Levin

The Harvard musicologist tells what to look and listen for in the B Minor Mass.
Robert Levin

B Minor Mass - Eugene

The monumental summation of Bach's faith and craft, the B Minor Mass is reprised for our 2008 opening night in Eugene, the first annual Founders Concert in tribute to Royce Saltzman and Helmuth Rilling.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Christopher Cock, tenor; Michael Nagy, bass; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

OBF at the Shedd: Chuang-Levin Piano Duo

Jaqua Hall's warm acoustics will resound with the contrasting styles of this husband and wife team, while oversize video screens give you a close-up view of their dazzling technique.
Ya-Fei Chuang, Robert Levin

PICCFEST Gala

The OBF presents the Gala Concert of the Pacific International Children's Choir Festival, with 350+ young singers performing under the theme "I Dream A World."
Nine children's choirs from across the U.S. with guest conductor Bob Chilcott

Let's Talk: Helmuth @ 75

Join the fun as the Festival celebrates Helmuth Rilling's 75th birthday (May 2008) in this special edition of our Q & A talk series.

Garrison Keillor

The best-selling author and wry host of public radio's Prairie Home Companion humors, harmonizes, and holds forth in a program specifically crafted for the OBF.
Garrison Keillor; Maria Jette, soprano; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy; Philip Brunelle, conductor.

Hinkle Distinguished Lecture

"When the Words Hurt: The Gospel of John, Bach's Music, and Religious Intolerance"

Tom Hall, scholar, author, broadcaster and Music Director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, is one of the leading choral conductors of his generation, an authority on the historically informed approach to familiar works of the Baroque and Classical periods. Here, he confronts the critical dilemma of performing Bach's St. John Passion in today's multicultural society, the first of two events under the theme "Paths of Reconciliation."
Tom Hall

Discovery Series: Concertos for Violin and Oboe

Two of Bach's best known instrumental works are explored through a lecture, musical examples, and performance.
Allan Vogel, oboe; Rahel Rilling, violin; OBF Chamber Orchestra; master class conductors, Helmuth Rilling, lecturer-conductor

Inside Line: Rebecca Oswald

The composer guides listeners through her new work, "Man of Oregon," in this pre-concert talk.
Rebecca Oswald

Bowerman: Man of Oregon

In tune with the Eugene 08 Olympic Trials, join in the gala musical tribute to Bill Bowerman. The multimedia concert includes Rebecca Oswald's new symphonic biography (cocommissioned by the Oregon Humanities Center and the Bowerman fmaily), spoken tributes, and a screening of the Oregon Public Broadcasting documentary about the legendary coach and OBF patron.
Distinguished speakers; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy; conductors Anton Armstrong, Philip Brunelle, and Helmuth Rilling

Let's Talk: The 5 Browns

Meet the talented Juilliard-trained siblings of The 5 Browns.
Deondra, Desirae, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan Brown

Discovery Series: St. John Passion 1

Helmuth Rilling directs a four-part exploration and performance of Bach's profound setting of John's gospel, illuminating how its structure, symbolism, and musical techniques create a powerful effect. Conductors from the OBF master class lead each session's concert.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Lothar Odinius, tenor; Michael Nagy, Florian Schmitt-Bohn, bass; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

The 5 Browns

Back by popular demand and riding the crest of another hit CD, the all-Juilliard-trained, brother-and-sister concert pianists take the stage in what is sure to be another OBF sell-out.
Deondra, Desirae, Ryan, Gregory, and Melody Brown

On the House: Puttin' on the RITS

A concert of joy and colorful movement, with choral music and solos performed by singers of changed and unchanged voices grades five to nine, participants in the Regional Institute for the Teaching of Singing.
A concert by young singers; Sandra Brown Williams, director

OBF Hayward: Bach Remix

Enjoy the third annual mash-up of Bach and music from the area's best hip hop DJs. They'll compete for cash to put the best new spin on an old Bach groove, on Eugene 08's festival stage next to Hayward Field.

Discovery Series: St. John Passion 2

Helmuth Rilling continues the exploration of Bach's profound setting of John's gospel through a lecture, musical examples, and performances led by master class conductors.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Lothar Odinius, tenor; Michael Nagy, Florian Schmitt-Bohn, bass; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy

Twelve days of rehearsal and study culminate in an energizing program by 85 of the most talented high school singers from across the U.S. The program features the world premiere of a work by Ralph Johnson, commissioned for the opening of the new Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend.
Maria Jette, soprano; Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy; OBF Chamber Orchestra; Anton Armstrong, conductor

OBF Hayward: Trio Voronezh

Masters of Russian folk and classical music perform tunes that evoke the spirit of the Old Country.
Trio Voronezh

Green Eggs and Ham

Simple staging and witty songs bring out the best of two beloved Seuss stories—Green Eggs and Ham and Gertrude McFuzz.
Maria Jette, Claire Romey, David Riley

On the House: SFYCA Soloists

This free concert features outstanding high school vocalists from the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy.

Inside Line: Stephen Rodgers

Stephen Rodgers, in four lectures that accompany the residency of the Shanghai Quartet, will create insights and a cultural context for the wide range of chamber masterworks presented in the concerts. A theorist on the UO School of Music faculty, with a PhD from Yale, Rodgers has written for Chamber Music magazine and other publications on topics ranging from the music of Berlioz to classical music and Gen X to barbershop harmony.
Stephen Rodgers

Mendelssohn Octet

The Shanghai Quartet and leading players from the OBF Orchestra offer Mendelssohn's virtuoso Octet and sextets from Strauss and Brahms.
The Shanghai Quartet, OBF String Principals

OBF Hayward: The Shanghai Quartet

On the final day of the US Olympic Trials, the quartet offers the medalists a bridge to Beijing and the 2008 Olympic Games with excerpts from their collection, Chinasong.
The Shanghai Quartet

Inside Line: Thomas Somerville

The former director of the Festival's conducting master class previews the Bach and Haydn choral works.
Thomas Somerville

Magnificat & Holy Mass

Helmuth Rilling conducts a specially-priced choral music spectacular, with Bach's glorious Magnificat and Haydn's jubilant Heiligmesse (Holy Mass), to be recorded live for our next CD release on the Hanssler label.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Lothar Odinius, tenor; Michael Nagy, bass; Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy and alumni (Bach); OBF Chorus (Haydn) and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

Patron Celebration

OBF's annual salute to our donors at the $500 level and above. Presentation of the Saltzman Award and performance by the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy.

Let's Talk: The Shanghai Quartet

Meet the members of one of the world's leading quartets, in residence for four OBF concerts.

Discovery Series: St. John Passion 3

Insights into Bach's dramatic telling of the passion story are deepened in the third of four lecture-concerts.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Lothar Odinius, tenor; Michael Nagy, Florian Schmitt-Bohn, bass; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

Inside Line: Stephen Rodgers

A preview of the night's Chinese, French, and American music.
Stephen Rodgers

China Song

Traditional Chinese folk songs and popular music arranged by Shanghai violinist Yi-Wen Jiang, and an American classic by Samuel Barber trace a musical path that mirrors the road from the Eugene 08 Olympic trials to the upcoming Beijing games. The program concludes with Ravel's truly ravishing Quartet, looking forward to the Shanghai's collaboration with OBF wind principals on July 8.
The Shanghai Quartet

Organ Interlude: ElRay Stewart-Cook

ElRay Stewart-Cook; Patricia Dewey, alto; Joanna Blendulf, viola da gamba

Discovery Series: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor

Nicholas McGegan, celebrated maestro of Philharmonia Baroque, the nation's preeminent period instrument orchestra, guides this exploration of Bach's Second Orchestral Suite, a showpiece for flute based on the French dance styles of the day.
Lorna McGhee, flute; OBF Chamber Orchestra; master class conductors; Nicholas McGegan, lecturer-conductor

Inside Line: Stephen Rodgers

A preface to the French music program.
Stephen Rodgers

Le Salon Français

Colored by the tonal warmth of clarinet, flute, and harp, the night's repertoire creates a vivid impression of France—and the influential music of its great composers.
The Shanghai Quartet; Heidi Krutzen, harp; David Riley, piano; OBF Wind Principals

Let's Talk: Nicholas McGegan

Meet the globe-trotting artistic director of San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque, leader of the July 10 OBF orchestra concert that features The Four Seasons.

Hinkle Seminar: St John Passion

In “An Exploration of Contexts" Steven Shankman (UNESCO Chair in Transcultural Studies, Interreligious Dialogue, and Peace at the University of Oregon) leads a panel of scholars and academic leaders in a broad consideration of the texts of Bach's St. John Passion from Judaic, religious, historical, and musical perspectives.
Professor Steven Shankman; Associate Professors Daniel Falk, Lori Kruckenberg, David Luebke of the University of Oregon.

Discovery Series: St. John Passion 4

The concluding drama of the Passion story is revealed in the final exploration of Bach's choral-orchestral work.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Lothar Odinius, tenor; Michael Nagy, Florian Schmitt-Bohn, bass; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; master class conductors; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

Inside Line: Stephen Rodgers

An overview of Schubert and the culture of Viennese salons.
Stephen Rodgers

Schubertiade

It's a Viennese soiree on the stage of Soreng as the quartet and a stellar cast present an all-Schubert chamber-fest of songs and instrumental works, including the Quartettsatz, the Fantasy in F minor for piano duo, Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, Auf dem Strom, and Erlkönig.
The Shanghai Quartet, OBF Soloists, and Schubert Singers of the OBF Men's Chorus

Organ Interlude: Duoing Keyboards

Barbara Baird, Julia Brown

The Four Seasons

Vivid, lively, intense, and dramatic, The Four Seasons is the centerpiece of this refreshing summer concert featuring virtuoso violinist Sarah Chang and Baroque specialist Nicholas McGegan directing from the keyboard. Then, works by modern composers look back to capture the beauty of the high Baroque in Respighi's The Birds and Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite.
Sarah Chang, violin; OBF Orchestra; Nicholas McGegan, harpsichord/conductor

On the House: Mood Area 52

Enjoy the first event in a tango mini-fest with Eugene's homegrown romantics.
Mood Area 52

Organ Recital

Guest recitalist Douglas Cleveland is the widely acclaimed music director of Seattle's Plymouth Congregational Church. Enjoy his program of Bach and French masters on the magnificent Brombaugh organ of Central Lutheran Church.
Douglas Cleveland

Jungle Book

Adult and youth dancers tell Rudyard Kipling's poignant tale of Mowgli, his friends, and his foes through contemporary and traditional music of India, dance, and poetry. Join the DTO troupe for a lively and colorful jungle drama.
Dance Theatre Oregon

On the House: Do the Tango

Learn the basics of tango with instructor Rebecca Smith from Eugene's Tango Center and the musicians of Mood Area 52.

OBF at the Shedd: Trio for Nuevo Tango

Grammy award-winning pianist and composer Pablo Ziegler infuses his performances and arrangements with a deep knowledge of tango, having served as the music director for Argentine master Astor Piazzolla for more than ten years. His trio blends classic rhythms with jazz improvisations, bringing new expressions to the tango lexicon.

"There's no question that Ziegler takes the tango to levels of sophistication and refinement probably undreamed of by Piazzolla." - Chicago Tribune
Hector del Curto, bandoneon; Claudio Ragazzi, guitar; Pablo Ziegler, piano

St. Matthew Passion

OBF 08 concludes with the mighty St. Matthew Passion. Acclaimed Bach expert Helmuth Rilling masterfully builds the arias, chorales and orchestral passages into heights of dramatic power in this monument to Bach's faith and artistry.
Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Lothar Odinius, tenor; Nathan Berg, Michael Nagy, bass; Oregon Festival Choir; OBF Chorus and Orchestra; Helmuth Rilling, conductor

Closing Night Gala at King Estate

Gala dinner and auction under the stars at King Estate Winery following the performance of the St. Matthew Passion. All proceeds benefit OBF educational programs.