A love match of food, music and celebration! Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an elegant dinner and a memorable Kansas City Chamber Orchestra concert at 6:30 p.m., February 13 at Californos, 4124 Pennsylvania.
The evening will feature J.S. Bach’s delightful Coffee Cantata performed by some of KC’s finest vocal soloists – Suzanne Anderson, Joshua Lawlor and Frank Fleschner – under the direction of guest conductor Ward Holmquist. Also including a chocolate box variety of romantic and baroque favorites for strings.
“It’s great fun to perform this wonderful work and witty work by the Baroque master, Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate setting,” said Bruce Sorrell, music director for the KCCO. “It’s especially exciting to have such talented artists joining us under the direction of guest conductor Ward Holmquist. This will be a very special evening.”
About the Coffee Cantata: This charming operetta written by Bach between 1732 and 1735 shows the composer’s more humorous side – and society’s love of coffee even in the 18th century. The two main characters are a coffee-addicted girl, Lieschen, and her overly-concerned father, Herr Schlendrian. In an effort to rid his daughter of the evil drink, Herr Schlendrian progressively forbids her luxuries. Lieschen refuses to give it up, saying coffee is “more delicious than a thousand kisses, and sweeter than muscatel wine.” It is only when her father refuses to allow her to marry that she relents. But even then, as the father goes off to find a husband, Lieschen reveals that she will make it a part of the marriage contract that she be allowed her three cups a day.
Tickets: Individual tickets for the Tuesday, February 13 performance and dinner are $75. Sweetheart VIP tickets are $100 each (includes prime seating, champagne, Valentine Mardi Gras masks, and Annedore’s chocolates. Valet parking is available.
Purchase tickets online at KCChamberOrchestra.org or through the Central Ticket Office by calling (816) 235-6222. To reserve a table with friends, or if you have dietary restrictions or special needs, call the KCCO office at (816) 960-1324.
