Skylark: SEVEN Words from the Cross
Purchase TicketsMarch 15, 2026 | 4:00pm
Please join us a for a post-concert reception on the Wallace Hall Stage.
SEVEN Words from the Cross
Witness Skylark’s triumphant return to its signature program that earned the ensemble its first GRAMMY® nomination, now presented eight years after its London debut. Described as "rigorous, original, stimulating, and beautiful" by BBC Radio 3, this powerful journey through the scriptural seven last words of Christ on the Cross weaves together uniquely American choral works with music from around the globe—from the raw, expressive sounds of William Billings and the Sacred Harp tradition to the bold, dynamic compositions of Anna Thorvaldsdottir and Jaakko Mäntyjärvi. Join Skylark for this special revival of a program that established Skylark as one of America’s premier vocal ensembles on the international stage.
Described as "the cream of the American crop" (BBC Radio 3), Skylark is one of the world's leading vocal ensembles, performing stunning programs that combine virtuosity and vision. Under Artistic Director Matthew Guard's leadership since 2011, the ensemble has earned six GRAMMY® nominations in recent years for their innovative approach to choral performance.
Skylark's artistic vision centers on creating thematic programs that weave together music, art, literature, and history into singular experiences. This approach has yielded acclaimed recordings like the twice GRAMMY®-nominated "Clear Voices in the Dark," pairing Poulenc's wartime masterpiece with American Civil War songs, hailed as "inspired" (Gramophone) and "spectacular" (Textura). The ensemble pioneered their innovative "story score" concept with the GRAMMY®-nominated "Once Upon a Time" and took it to new heights partnering with Tony Award-winning actress Christine Baranski for "A Christmas Carol," released by Skylark and distributed in partnership with LSO Live (the London Symphony Orchestra).
Skylark maintains deep roots in Massachusetts and New York while performing at prestigious venues including The Morgan Library & Museum, The Met Cloisters, The Hispanic Society Museum, and The Breakers in Newport, RI. Their 2018 international debut at London's St. John's Smith Square was declared "the highlight" of a festival by The Times of London. Through performances and recordings that consistently reach Billboard's Classical Chart top 10, Skylark continues to expand audiences for vocal music while setting global standards for the choral arts.
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Concerts at St. Ignatius is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.