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Join us for a transcendent evening of early music as The Tallis Scholars, under the direction of Peter Phillips, celebrate the 500th birthday of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, a master of counterpoint and one of the most influential figures in music history. This special performance, part of the Cal Performances 2024-25 Season, will take place on May 2, 2025, at 8:00 pm at the First Congregational Church in Berkeley. Palestrina's sublimely spiritual works represent the pinnacle of Italian polyphony, and The Tallis Scholars, renowned for their interpretations of Palestrina's music, will present a program that includes one of his lesser-known mass settings, "Missa Ut re mi fa sol la," two of his greatest motets, "Laudate pueri" and "Tribulationes civitatum," and "Tu es Petrus." The concert will also feature works by Palestrina's contemporary, Orlando di Lasso, including "Media vita" and "Timor et tremor." The Tallis Scholars have sung Palestrina’s music more than that of any other composer, earning a Gramophone Award for their now-classic Palestrina recording. This performance promises to be a benchmark in the repertoire, offering a rare opportunity to experience the loftiest peak of Renaissance polyphony. Tickets for this unforgettable evening start at $68, with season subscriptions available now and single tickets going on sale at noon on August 6. This performance is made possible, in part, by Michael A. Harrison and Susan Graham Harrison. Don't miss this chance to celebrate Palestrina's 500th birthday with The Tallis Scholars in the beautiful setting of the First Congregational Church in Berkeley.

Join us for an unforgettable journey with the Mark Morris Dance Group as they present "Pepperland," a vibrant tribute to the Beatles’ iconic album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. This much-anticipated performance is set to take place at Zellerbach Hall from May 9th to May 11th, 2025, offering evening shows on May 9th and 10th at 8pm, and a matinee on May 11th at 3pm. "Pepperland" is not just a dance performance; it's a celebration of music, creativity, and the revolutionary spirit of the Beatles. Choreographed by the renowned Mark Morris and featuring a score by Ethan Iverson, the production brings together an eclectic mix of voice, theremin, soprano sax, trombone, and keyboards. This Cal Performances co-commissioned piece is a joyous romp through the Beatles' groundbreaking album, reimagined with neon costumes, spectacular ensemble numbers, and a blend of sentiment, abstraction, and sheer fantasy, all sprinkled with a touch of irony. Tickets for this captivating performance start at $42, with season subscriptions available now and single tickets going on sale at noon on August 6th. Don't miss your chance to experience the playful and poignant "Pepperland," a performance that promises to be a highlight of the 2024-25 season at Cal Performances.

Composer, vocalist, and banjo virtuoso Rhiannon Giddens is perhaps the hardest working and most decorated woman in modern roots music—with two Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and a MacArthur “Genius” grant to her credit. Hot on the heels of her April 2025 release with fellow Carolina Chocolate Drops member Justin Robinson, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, Giddens returns to Berkeley leading a stellar five-piece string band in a supremely original romp through Black American music—from the blues, to country, to swing. “Few artists are so fearless and so ravenous in their exploration” (Pitchfork).