Cantiamo is a 15-member vocal ensemble directed by the acclaimed soprano soloist Carol Menke. The group’s repertoire ranges from Medieval and Renaissance polyphony to recent work by contemporary composers. Cantiamo has performed throughout Northern California and is particularly well known for its bi-monthly Evensong services at local churches.
The ensemble began in the early 1990s as the Schola Gregoriana, under the leadership of tenor Jeff Morse. The Schola focused on singing Gregorian chant and polyphonic masses and motets in their proper liturgical settings. After Menke became director in 2002, the group renamed itself Cantiamo and expanded its repertoire to include both sacred and secular works.
In retrospect, Cantiamo Sonoma’s April 18 performance of Mozart’s Requiem sadly presaged the loss of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Santa Rosa’s Church of the Roses was packed even more than usual for their annual Good Friday concert, and Carol Menke led a musically solid, powerfully heartfelt rendi...
