Voices of Innocence
Mahler’s radiant Fourth Symphony meets the world premiere of Todd Mason’s Of Rose and Ice.
Mahler’s symphony culminates in a child’s innocent vision of heaven—a joyful afterlife of abundant feasts and benevolent saints. Mason’s work, inspired by an anti-war poem written by American poet Wallace Stevens during World War II, offers a striking counterpoint: it asks us to relinquish comforting illusions and romantic notions of conquest to confront the realities of war. Yet within that reckoning lies the possibility of spiritual renewal and a more hopeful vision of life here on earth. Together, the two works explore innocence—one imagining the peace that awaits beyond mortal struggle, the other asking how we might create it in the world we inhabit now.
JAMS Performing Arts Center
1630 Pearl St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
Program
Todd Mason, Of Rose and Ice (2025, world premiere) Sarah Lonsert, soprano Musical excerpts and story of Mahler’s 4th Symphony —Intermission— Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 4 in G major (1900) Sarah Lonsert, soprano Sarah Lonsert is a versatile vocalist known for her “angelic voice” and authentic artistry across genres. Currently, Sarah performs with several acclaimed ensembles, including the L.A. Master Chorale under Grant Gershon, Pacific Chorale under Dr. Robert Istad, Long Beach Camerata Singers under Dr. James K. Bass, and the vibrant team at Voices of Terpsichor, is the Soprano I section Leader at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport, the cantorial soloist for Desert Outreach Synagogue, all while continuing to audition for both Musical Theatre and Opera roles. She continues her vocal studies with Diane Ketchie, refining her craft in both classical and musical theatre. Sarah has had the honor of recording with John Williams and Steven Spielberg and was part of the Grammy Award-winning choir on Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which won Best Choral Performance in 2022. She has shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli, the L.A. Symphony, and performed internationally in Taipei, Rome, Paris, Germany, Russia (Glinka Cappella), and Estonia (The Rock Church). Street parking is available around JAMS Performing Arts Center on Pearl, 16th, and 17th streets. Please allow a few extra minutes to park and walk to the entrance. ADA accessible parking spaces are available in the JAMS parking lot near the entrance. This concert is free as part of the Santa Monica Symphony’s commitment to presenting accessible performances for the community, and we warmly welcome donations to support future programs. Please note this ticket does not guarantee late entry, as seating is open and first-come, first-served. We strongly recommend arriving early. Doors open at 6:00 PM. This program is made possible in part by grants from the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, and by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov. About the soloist
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