Apart from the opera that became "Fidelio," nothing cost Beethoven more effort than his great Missa Solemnis. The composer wrestled mightily with the medium, ultimately making his mass a vehicle for expressing a deeply individual take on the divine-human connection. Along the way, he produced one of the most challenging choral pieces ever written. The Chorale has been rehearsing it since early March, and it's sounding phenomenal. Hear it in Orchestra Hall, with four top-flight soloists and the Minnesota Orchestra under Osmo Vänskä's baton, Thursday through Saturday, June 11 - 13. For tickets, call 612.371.5656 or click here.

If you were there, you already know that this year's Cabernet Cabaret, held for the first time at the MacPhail Center, was a roaring success. (And if you weren't there, you'll want to keep us in mind for next year!) The Minnesota Chorale's supporters are an enormously congenial group, and the singing of the Chorale and the Minneapolis Youth Chorus, together with Scott McKenzie's glorious food and Karen Sorbo's auctioneering skills, left many attendees almost giddy with pleasure. And yes, we exceeded our fundraising goal for the evening.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, bid, sang, volunteered, hosted, or otherwise helped to make this a landmark event.

Planning for next year's edition is well underway--stay tuned for details!