The Cal Poly Choirs will present a concert of two cantatas at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, in the San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, with two of the university’s advanced vocal ensembles: Chamber Choir and Cantabile.

The title of the concert, “Who is My Neighbor?” is the central question presented in Benjamin Britten’s “Cantata Misericordium,” which will performed by the Chamber Choir.  Composed for the 50th anniversary of the Red Cross, this rarely performed masterpiece is a creative retelling of the parable of the Good Samaritan as found in the Gospel of Luke.  

The choir will be joined by two guest soloists: John Buffett, baritone, and George Gorrindo; as well as a string quartet comprised of music faculty members Emily Lanzone and Grace Seng, violin; Michael Whitson, viola; and Megan Chartier, cello. Cal Poly staff accompanist Paul Woodring will play piano.

The second half of the concert will feature Cantabile. The treble choir will sing Dan Forrest’s cantata “Lux: The Dawn from on High.” Each of its five movements provide a different type of reflection on theme of  light. “In contrast to the Britten cantata which is highly dissonant and at times abstract in harmony, this work is more reminiscent of a movie score and is very melodic in nature,” said Scott Glysson, Cal Poly director of choral activities, and conductor of the concert.

Cantabile will be joined by a small chamber orchestra of Cal Poly students and faculty. The work will also be accompanied on organ by Woodring.

Tickets to the event are $22 for the public, and $12 for students. Tickets are available at the Cal Poly Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To order by phone, call (805) SLO-4TIX (756-4849).

The event is sponsored by Cal Poly’s Music Department, College of Liberal Arts and Instructionally Related Activities program.

For more information, visit the Music Department’s calendar website, email music@calpoly.edu or call (805) 756-2406.