On Tuesday June 6, 2006, 5:30 PM, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Berkeley, Artists' Vocal Ensemble (AVE), the critically-acclaimed San Francisco-based vocal ensemble directed by Jonathan Dimmock, will present a unique program in conjunction with the 2006 Berkeley Early Music Festival and Exhibition Fringe Series entitled: "666 (The Mark of the Beast): Music of the Apocalypse." The concert date (6/6/06) became the inspiration for an interesting collaboration of art media, Renaissance choral music and a 14th century illuminated manuscript. Using the famous "Cloisters Apocalypse," an illuminated manuscript owned by the Metropolitan Museum in New York, numerous folios from this collection will be paired with corresponding music. The collection is an illumination of the book of Revelation (known as the Apocalypse). As the book of Revelation, and the "end times" in general, were popular preoccupations of people during the medieval and Renaissance periods, there exist many important and beautiful motets to correspond with the book of Revelation. The program promises to be unique in concept and design (with an in-depth program booklet with manuscript plates to correspond with the music); truly a once-in-a lifetime endeavor (and the only time we will all live for a 6/6/06 date in our calendar).

AVE is a professional ensemble comprised of 12 to 16 singers of both local and national renown, most of whom perform with other established Bay Area ensembles, including American Bach Soloists, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Magnificat, San Francisco Opera and Chanticleer. Artists appearing in this program are; Susan Judy, Andrea Fullington, Allison Zelles Lloyd, Carol Kessler, Celeste Winant, Christen Herman, Jesse Antin, Clifton Massey, Kevin Baum, Ed Betts, Michael Azevedo, Sam Smith, Tom Hart, Donald Ziff, Jeff Fields, and under the direction of founder Jonathan Dimmock.
Founded on St. Cecilia's Day 2004, AVE attempts to bring many of the lost masterworks from the Renaissance and Tudor periods to life, using informed performance style and highly trained singers. While presenting programs of scholarly interest, AVE strives to create experiences that are emotional, and spiritual, and contemplative. The concerts have a strong impact on audiences, where many describe feelings of being transformed and uplifted. AVE's intention is not to limit its audience to early and liturgical music devotees, but to offer this seldom-heard material for an audience of all ages, tastes, and sensibilities.

AVE's recent February performance of Josquin Desprez's Missa Pange Lingua and music from the Eton Choirbook earned the following critical praise;"Brilliant","powerful, hypnotic","lively and captivating" (SF Classical Voice, 2/7/06).

666 - Music for the Apocalypse

St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Admission $20/$10
contact: askave@yahoo.com