Renowned British a cappella group VOCES8 to perform at Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach

VOCES8, an internationally renowned musical group that has been called “the Rolls-Royce of British a cappella ensembles,” will perform Saturday at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach.

Inviting VOCES8 was the brainchild of Bethesda-by-the-Sea Associate for Music and Liturgy, organist and choirmaster Stuart Forster. He’s wanted to see the ensemble perform live in person since trying to get tickets to a show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, about five years ago, only for the show to quickly sell out.

“I brought them to me this time,” he told the Daily News this week.

Forster hopes this will be the first of many installments in a new concert series at the church. “I was looking for a world-class group to get started,” he said.

For those who haven’t seen VOCES8 or aren’t familiar with their work, Forster said audiences will be blown away. “You can expect an ensemble of eight stunningly beautiful voices, who have a rapport with each other who surpass other musical ensembles,” he said.

Since its founding 2005, VOCES8 has performed at major venues including Wigmore Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Cité de la Musique Paris, Vienna Konzerthaus, Tokyo Opera City, NCPA Beijing, Sydney Opera House, Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall, Victoria Concert Hall Singapore and Palacio de Bellas Artes Mexico City.

Forster described Saturday'sprogram as filled with music from what he called the “Western cathedral tradition,” with pieces by William Byrd, Felix Mendelssohn, Pablo Casals, Rachmaninov and Monteverdi.

The response to the concert so far has been outstanding, Forster said, because of the performers and because people are excited to have more in-person entertainment returning following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bethesda-by-the-Sea has considered launching a new concert series for a while, Forster said. The key is to bring in the kinds of performers who are not already performing in other venues around Palm Beach, he added.

The second in the two-concert series is scheduled for Feb. 24 and will feature renowned organist Richard Elliott.

Elliott — the principal organist for the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir — is known for his innovative pieces and skilled, entertaining performances, Foster said.

Elliott’s performance will be the first full-length concert on Bethesda’s newly refurbished organ, which should be completed after about two years of work, Forster said.

The church, built 133 years ago, has “unique acoustics and architecture that are perfect for vocal and choral music,” Forster said. While the concert series will be designed to complement those features, he said, the series also can be an introduction to Bethesda-by-the-Sea.

“A lot of people are intimidated by the idea of church,” he said. “Let them come to a concert and see how beautiful and inviting it is.”

The VOCES8 is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 for general admission, or $200 for a “Music Supporters” ticket that includes a 6:30 p.m. Champagne reception to which the artists have been invited, along with premium seating.

The church has several other concerts in the coming months leading up to the popular Christmas services:

Nov. 6: The Bethesda Choir and soloists from Palm Beach Opera with an orchestra will perform a Requiem liturgy incorporating Mozart’s final piece. The prelude begins at 3:55 p.m. The concert begins at 4 p.m. Forster is directing.

Dec. 4: Advent lessons and carols at 4 p.m. with choral and organ music and hymns for all to see. Prelude begins at 3:40.

Dec. 14: Bethesda’s popular Christmas concert with orchestra and the Bethesda Choir begins at 7:30 p.m. Expect festive arrangement of your favorite carols to sing along with the orchestra. Forster will conduct. Tickets are $25 at the door.

For more information about upcoming concerts or to buy tickets to see VOCES8, go to bbts.org.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Renowned British a cappella group to perform Saturday in Palm Beach