Join the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus [SFGMC] at Davies Symphony Hall for a joyous celebration. With Passion, the Chorus takes its audience on a journey across three centuries, "capturing the passion that defines us and brings us together," according to the SFGMC website. Passion performs at Davies on April 1 & 2 at 8 p.m.
"The overriding theme is the triumph of love throughout the roller coaster of life," said Dr. Tim Seelig, the chorus' artistic director and conductor. Seelig offered a glimpse of what audiences can expect. "The story of two young lovers during the Holocaust brings open the heart to the everlasting hope of love," he said. "The Walt Whitman pieces describe an absolute explosion of homoerotic love." Whitman (1819-92) was an acclaimed poet who was known to have been gay. He often expressed his homosexual desires in his poetry.
Seelig feels that Passion's audiences should prepare themselves to take in the full spectrum of emotions that the show will offer. There will be poignant moments, he promises, as when the two lovers in composer Jake Heggie's For a Look and a Touch are reunited.
"When the two lovers, separated for decades following the war, come together and once again profess their love and dance together, it's one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced on stage," Seelig said. The couple will be portrayed onstage by singers Kip Niven and Morgan Smith.
Seelig is excited about Heggie's contribution to Passion. Heggie composed Moby Dick, performed at the San Francisco Opera, and contributed one of the movements to Tyler's Suite, which the Chorus performed last season. Tyler's Suite was dedicated to the memory of Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old college student who committed suicide in 2010 after his roommate secretly videotaped him having sex with another man.
"Jake and his husband, singer/actor Curt Branom, live in San Francisco with their son," Seelig said proudly. "You may recognize Curt's name as one of the longtime stars of Beach Blanket Babylon ."
Seelig acknowledged there were many unique challenges in directing the 275 performers who will be seen together on the great Davies stage. He takes it all in stride.
"Having done this for a long time, I prefer to look at the challenges as opportunities," he said. "Just the sound of that many men singing is a thrill. Truly the biggest challenge is finding places to perform. We are lucky to be performing this concert at Davies, where we fit perfectly."
Passion with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, April 1 & 2, 8 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall. Tickets ($25-$65): sfgmc.org.