www.montereycountynow.com MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 27 MUSIC Carmina Burana is usually on every choir singer’s bucket list, according to I Cantori di Carmel music director Daniel Henriks. But bucket lists aren’t the reason they chose the piece. “Basically, we chose it because of Forest Theater,” he explains, which is I Cantori’s venue for three of the performances during the run. “It’s such a perfect fit.” As a former professional opera singer from Europe, Henriks isn’t known to be stiff, even when it comes to classical music. To him, Beethoven is more akin to punk rock or metal genres, in that you can feel the emotion. Carl Orff’s cantata Carmina Burana is a piece filled with emotion, adding to the enthralling draw for singers and audience members. Henriks also explains that the piece is a celebration of nature and life itself, which is why it fits the vibe of the tree-surrounded, outdoor setting. The music represents dealings with the natural world. “It’s more about a communal celebratory concert event than your typical classical choral concert,” he says. Henriks is now in year five as music director for I Cantori, which itself is about to enter its 45th season as a classical choral group. The production of Carmina Burana is a culmination to charge the upcoming year with energy. “O Fortuna” is the most recognizable movement, even in modern culture—which is also the prelude and conclusion of the entire piece that the ensemble plans to perform. “You hear it everywhere from deodorant commercials to wrestling,” Henriks says, further describing the song as “a big D minor with the full forces of the huge chorus and orchestra.” Three professional choral soloists are joining the performance: soprano Ashley Fabian, tenor Chris Mosz and baritone Ethan Vincent, who will be making his Metropolitan Opera debut later this year. “It’s always a crazy moment to sing these hallmark pieces,” Henriks says. Like the thunder of voices that the full piece demands, the performance will feature 130 people on stage— including a 60-piece orchestra accompanying the singers—along with the new youth chorus that Henriks founded this year. I Cantori di Carmel performs Carmina Burana 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, May 29-30; 3pm Sunday, May 31. Forest Theater, Santa Rita and Mountain View, Carmel. $57- $77; $21/students, military, teacher; $10/children 12 and under. (831) 644-8012, icantori.org. RANDY TUNNELL Fortuna Tellers I Cantori concludes its season with three nights performing Carmina Burana. By Sloan Campi I Cantori di Carmel performs classic choral works, but their upcoming show branches out, performed outdoors in hopes of creating a celebratory, community feeling. DINNER SERIES MASTER MAKERS THURSDAY JUNE 11TH JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE, MULTI-COURSE DINNER FEATURING NIMAN RANCH, EXPERTLY PAIRED WITH FOLKTALE WINERY WINES AND ARTISAN COCKTAILS. WINE CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE DISCOUNT
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