Press

In the News: What Critics Are Saying About MCP

March 2024

A wacky piano with a curved keyboard made its debut at the Kimmel. But how did it sound?

Peter Dobrin, The Philadelphia Inquirer

"... the performance was near ideal. Among its strengths: the impressive high notes of soprano Audrey Luna; the appropriately creepy characterization of the Swan by tenor Sunnyboy Dladla; the immediacy of the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia; and the sweet polish of a children's choir drawn from the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Philadelphia Girls Choir."  Full article

March 2024

The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana

Linda Holt, Broad Street Review

"Raunchy lyrics and choral shouts of primeval joy rang out through Verizon Hall this weekend, as the Philadelphia Orchestra and three feisty choral groups offered a no-holds-barred performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina burana. Conductor Fabio Luisi and a stage full of genius proved just the right mix for this eagerly anticipated production."  Full article

March 2024

Naughty and nice: Orff and Mozart at the Philadelphia Orchestra

Cameron Kelsall, Bach Track

"Carmina burana is a choral showcase at heart, and the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia was in top shape, with especially fine contributions from the lower-voiced males."  Full article

December 2023

'The Hill' was Alive
Michael Caruso, Chestnut Hill Local

"Most impressive was the large choir’s soft singing. It’s not all that difficult to produce loud singing from a big chorus. It is quite difficult, indeed, to elicit singing of the softest dynamic level while still maintaining flawless tuning, immaculate balance and seamless blend." Full article

October 2023

Mendelssohn Chorus Opens 150th Season with a Prayer for Peace

Peter Crimmins, NPR/WHYY

"DiOrio said the chorus, as a musical format, is uniquely capable of embodying the ideals of society." Full article

March 2023

The Power of Intergenerational Music-Making

Baker Purdon, The Presser Foundation

"... they can create significant change and meaningfully influence the conversation around how and why music is valuable in our communities." Full article

December 2022

Music Imbues Church Audiences with Holiday Spirit

Michael Caruso, The Chestnut Hill Local

"... a choir that sings as one in repertoire both old and new. The blend, balance, dynamics, diction, lyrical phrasing and emotional projection were splendid in music of both simple directness and complex delineation ... DiOrio chose a program of music that spanned the centuries, inspired the spirit to hope for peace in a most un-peaceful world, evoked a deep well of emotions, and sent his 500-plus-member audience out into the world with a broad smile on its collective face and a spritely skip to its collective step."  Full article

May 2022

Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia Highlights Evolution of Music

Lucy Bustamante, NBC Philly LIve

'That is the enchanting sound of the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, and that was just a rehearsal ... " Video segment

May 2022

Dominick DiOrio's Fetter & Air

Take Effect Reviews

“A very emotional and sometimes haunting collaboration, this is a raw and highly articulate venture that will resonate both musically and lyrically for those who really dissect the words and music of songwriting.” Full article

December 2020

Holiday in Review: Six Shows That Went On Despite the Pandemic

Henrik Eger, Phindie.com

"A mixture of American jazz and dream choirs, sung magnificently by the newly renamed Mendelssohn Chorus ... one of the most joyful holiday choral experiences of 2020." Full article 

In the Community: What Recent Audiences are Saying About MCP

"One of the best concerts I have ever attended by any group, anywhere.” - We Reply to Violence

"This music is a gift to the city." - We Reply to Violence

“Transformationally beautiful … memorable and life-giving.” - We Are Waves

“I was on the edge of my seat for every single work that was performed." - We Are Waves

"This was the most amazing concert by any group I have ever attended." - Beyond the Binary

The new season begins September 2024!

Sign up for updates