Guest Conductor James Burton leads the choral program at NEC’s Jordan Hall, May 29 and 31.
BOSTON | The Handel and Haydn Society’s 2025-26 Season finale, “Voices Carry” at NEC’s Jordan Hall on May 29th and 31st will shine a spotlight on the celebrated H+H Chorus. The program of German and Italian motets and other sacred works will be led by James Burton, internationally renowned conductor, composer, and passionate advocate of choral singing. Four members of the H+H Orchestra will provide select accompaniment throughout this mostly a cappella program: Sarah Freiberg (cello), Peter Walsh (bass), Adam Cockerham (theorbo), and Ian Watson (organ).
H+H was founded in Boston in 1815 as a choral society dedicated to improving the quality of singing performances in their growing American city. From the beginning, H+H established itself as a passionate and talented organization, giving the American premieres of great choral works: Handel’s Messiah (1818), Haydn’s Creation (1819), Verdi’s Requiem (1878), and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion (1879). Now a Grammy-winning ensemble, OperaWire praised the H+H Chorus as “one of the most exciting ensembles of historically informed performances in the world.” A program of rarely performed works and three H+H premieres, “Voices Carry” showcases the breadth and depth of talent in today’s chorus. Among the premieres is the sacred motet Tristis est anima mea by German composer Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722), the first time H+H will perform any of Kuhnau’s work. The selections on the program by Bach, Schütz, and Scarletti have not been performed by H+H in more than a decade.
“Voices Carry” will open with a special performance by the H+ H Youth Choruses (HHYC) Concert Choir featuring singers in grades 6-10. Dedicated to the future of choral singing, HHYC has been helping singers ages 7–18 from Greater Boston develop their skills, express their creativity, and find their voice for more than 30 years. Throughout each season, HHYC ensembles share their talent with audiences at H+H concerts, often accompanied by members of the H+H Orchestra.
Well known to Boston audiences from his tenure as Boston Symphony Orchestra Choral Director and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus (2017–2025), James Burton was recently appointed Artistic Director of the Birmingham-based ensemble Ex Cathedra. He will guest conduct the group next season and assume full leadership from autumn 2027, directing its concerts, recordings, and projects across the UK. During his time with the BSO, Burton became deeply embedded in New England’s musical life, appearing as guest conductor with H+H, Boston Pops, Vermont Symphony, Connecticut Early Music Festival, and Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.
“I’m thrilled to be back in Boston and working with my dear colleagues at H+H,” said Burton. “Our programme will particularly feature the H+H Chorus singing church music by J.S. Bach, and Brahms, as well as the stunning double choir setting of the Magnificat by Heinrich Schütz. The concert is also a rare opportunity to experience the full splendour of Scarlatti’s masterful Stabat Mater.”
Concert Information
The Handel and Haydn Society presents Voices Carry at NEC’s Jordan Hall (30 Gainsborough Street, Boston) on Friday, May 29 at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 31 at 3:00pm.
Program:
Schütz: Deutsches Magnificat, SWV 494
Kuhnau: Tristis est anima mea
J.S. Bach: Komm, Jesu, Komm, BWV 229
Brahms: Warum ist das licht gegeben
Gesualdo: Miserere Mei
Scarlatti: Stabat Mater
Tickets to Voices Carry, as well as 2026-27 Season subscriptions are available for purchase by calling 617.262.1815 or visiting handelandhaydn.org.
Musically Speaking
Beginning 45 minutes before the performances, all concert goers are welcome to attend “Musically Speaking” led by Teresa Neff, H+H’s Christopher Hogwood Historically Informed Performance Fellow. This pre-concert talk provides background and context about the music and composers on the program and includes a period instrument demonstration by an H+H musician.
About the Handel and Haydn Society
Boston’s Grammy-winning Handel and Haydn Society performs Baroque and Classical music with a freshness, a vitality, and a creativity that inspires all ages. Called “one of the most exciting ensembles of historically informed performances in the world” (OperaWire), H+H has been captivating audiences for 211 consecutive seasons (the most of any performing arts organization in the United States), speaking to its singular success at welcoming new audiences to this extraordinary music, generation after generation.
H+H performed the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah in its first concert in 1815, gave the American premiere in 1818, and ever since has been both a musical and a civic leader in the Boston community. During the Civil War, H+H gave numerous concerts in support of the Union Army (H+H member Julia Ward Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”) and on January 1, 1863, H+H performed at the Grand Jubilee Concert celebrating the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation. Two years later, H+H performed at the memorial service for Abraham Lincoln.
H+H’s Orchestra and Chorus delight more than 76,000 listeners annually through concerts at Symphony Hall and other leading venues as well as radio broadcasts. Through the Karen S. and George D. Levy Learning and Education Program, H+H supports eight youth choirs of singers in grades 2–12 and provides thousands of complimentary tickets to students and communities throughout Boston, ensuring the joy of music is accessible to all. H+H provides deeply discounted tickets and hosts special events for undergraduate students and concertgoers under 40 through the H+H Masterpass and H² membership programs. H+H has released 16 CDs on the CORO label and has toured nationally and internationally. In all these ways, H+H fulfills its mission to inspire the intellect, touch the heart, elevate the soul, and connect all of us with our shared humanity through transformative experiences with Baroque and Classical music.