Kantorei Announces Faces of Love: A Bold New Choral Commission Exploring the Many Dimensions of Love
Kantorei is embarking on one of its most ambitious projects yet—Faces of Love, a brand-new multi-movement choral work that dives deep into the rich, complex, and transformative nature of love.
This groundbreaking commission is possible thanks to the generosity and vision of longtime singer and supporter Keith Ferguson, whose passion for music and commitment to collaboration have brought together some of the most celebrated voices in contemporary choral music.
Five Composers. One Poetic Voice. Endless Perspectives on Love.
At the heart of Faces of Love is original poetry by Charles Anthony Silvestri, hailed as “the preeminent choral lyricist of our time.” His words will be brought to life by five distinguished composers—each contributing a unique movement to the work: Marques Garrett, Sarah Quartel, Shruthi Rajasekar, Jake Runestad, and Benedict Sheehan.
Photo Credits: Shruthi Rajesekar, Alia Rose Photography; Charles Anthony Silvestri, Catherine Norwood; Benedict Sheehan, John Wirick Photography; Marques Garrett, Analisa Louise; Jake Runestad, Rob Davidson; Sarah Quartel, Eric Rockburn.
The result will be a musical tapestry that is varied, colorful, and deeply human.
Kantorei’s Artistic Director Joel Rinsema, along with Silvestri and Ferguson, hand-selected these composers not only for their exceptional artistry but also for their enthusiasm for this one-of-a-kind collaboration.
“I really wanted to help create an initiative that was very different from the numerous other commissioning projects we’ve embarked on,” says Rinsema. “These composers write in different styles, with different harmonic languages, and come from very diverse backgrounds. Through Tony’s words and Keith’s vision, I believe this project will find unity and cohesiveness around the theme of Faces of Love.”
A Poetic Journey Through Love
For Silvestri, the writing process has been deeply personal and creatively fulfilling:
“The poems I am writing explore the wonderful and challenging nature of interpersonal love, the work love can do in the wider world, and the power of transcendent love,” he explains. “My interviews with each composer conveniently centered around a different aspect of love, allowing for a rich variety of meanings and approaches.”
The Vision Behind the Commission
For Ferguson, Faces of Love is about more than music—it’s about the power of love to connect and inspire:
“Love provides a rich tapestry of human experiences and aspirations, including truth, beauty, courage, peace, compassion, and justice,” he shares. “Music has always been an important medium for expressing life’s experiences, inspiring our greatest hopes and dreams, and elevating us into higher levels of awareness, hope, and action.”
Looking Ahead to 2027
Slated for its world premiere in Fall 2027, Faces of Love will be a landmark addition to Kantorei’s repertoire and a shining example of our commitment to commissioning and performing new works that celebrate the beauty, diversity, and shared humanity of choral art.
At Kantorei, innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a driving force that pushes us to explore bold new sounds and creative partnerships, keeping the choral tradition fresh, relevant, and deeply moving.
We can’t wait to share this extraordinary journey with you.
