In Renaissance Europe, chansons were sung by everyone from peasants to kings. The tradition of Renaissance chansons was taken up again centuries later by some of France’s greatest musical masters. The singers of Chicago a cappella will delve into the chansons’ 16th-century origins as well as enchanting works by later composers such as Saint-Saëns and Milhaud. The ensemble will add an American twist to this French program with Vernon Duke’s classic ballad “April in Paris,” in an incomparable arrangement by Gene Puerling.

Other program highlights include Josquin: “Mille regrets”; Le Jeune: “Revoici venir du printemps”; Saint-Saëns: “Calme des Nuits”; Debussy: Trois Chansons, one of which, called Yver, vous n’estes qu’un villain, expresses anger toward winter, deemed evil by the poet–Can you relate with the cold Spring we’ve had thus far?; Ravel: Trois Chansons; Poulenc: Chansons Francaises; and Milhaud: Naissance de Venus.

Buy tickets ($22-35).

Chicago a cappella also will host a special one-night-only benefit performance at 7 p.m. on May 21, 2009 at the historic Chicago Cultural Center. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, dessert and music by three American masters—George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin—under the beautiful Tiffany dome of the Chicago Cultural Center. Don’t miss this one-night-only event supporting the artistry of Chicago a cappella.

Make reservations ($75).

For tickets to either event or more information, visit www.chicagoacappella.org or call   (773) 755-1628  .

Performance Schedule

Oak Park performance
Time: 8 p.m.
Date: Sat., April 18
Venue: Pilgrim Congregational Church
460 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL.

Evanston performance
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Sun., April 19
Venue: Nichols Concert Hall
1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL.

Chicago performance
Time: 8 p.m.
Date: Fri., April 24
Venue: Anne and Howard Gottlieb Hall at Merit School of Music
38 S. Peoria Street, Chicago, IL.

Naperville performance
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Sun., April 26
Venue: Wentz Concert Hall
171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL.

Benefit Performance
“Elegant/Swellegant: an a cappella evening with George, Cole and Irving”
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Thurs., May 21
Venue: Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL.