Espressivo, the acclaimed chamber orchestra from Santa Cruz, is set to make its Monterey debut on June 7, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Monterey. This performance marks the first time the ensemble ventures south of the county line, presenting a program titled Romantique that celebrates French Romantic composers: Berlioz, Bizet, and Honegger. The concert promises to deliver the orchestra's signature "small, intense" sound to a new audience, offering a fresh cultural experience to the Monterey community. Guest conductor Daniel Henriks, Music Director of Monterey based symphonic chorus I Cantori di Carmel will direct the ensemble; Acclaimed Santa Cruz soprano Emily Sinclair will join as soloist for Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été. This performance highlights the collaborative spirit between Santa Cruz and Monterey’s vibrant music communities, joined by a shared commitment to artistry, connection, and making great music accessible to all.

With spring in the air, the theme of this concert is romance, and since the music is entirely French, Espressivo has named the program Romantique. Although the three composers’ lives spanned more than 150 years, each piece reflects a different aspect of the Romantic era’s individuality and passion. In Les nuits d’été, Berlioz’s rapturous music captures the anguish of love lost. Arthur Honegger’s Pastorale d’été recalls a serene dawn in an Alpine meadow, while Bizet’s high-spirited Symphony in C is an explosion of youthful energy and joy.

The performance takes place on Saturday, June 7 at 7:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Monterey. Tickets are available at espressorch.org.