Atlanta is a hot bed of chamber music this fall. Local choirs that draw singers from all over the country are set to bring a wide variety of programming to the metro area in the coming months. Those who prefer more vocal heft, prepare to be awed by Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony of A Thousand,” a vocal extravaganza helmed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Kinnara. Comprised of professional and amateur singers from around the country, Atlanta-based Kinnara chamber choir presents the 40-voice "All-Night Vigil," Rachmaninoff's sacred choral work, in Sept. 27-29 at three locations: St. Benedict Catholic Church in Johns Creek, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Later in the season, it performs David Lang's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Little Match Girl Passion" in a rare five-singer format Nov. 15-16 at Mint @ the Met. Free. www.kinnara.org.
Coro Vocati. A small ensemble of professional singers based in Atlanta, Coro Vocati gave an emotionally uplifting performance of "Considering Matthew Shepard" in June. The choir performed the concert-length work with luminous beauty and vocal clarity. The group's opening concert for its 10th anniversary season continues in this vein of social programming, shining a light on the voiceless via a collection of choral pieces from throughout the globe. Sept. 28-29. $20. First United Methodist Church, Marietta, Morningside Presbyterian Church, Atlanta. www.corovocati.org
Dover and Escher String quartets. Two superb string quartets, Philadelphia-based Dover Quartet and New York-based Escher String Quartet, travel to Clayton State University to perform separately (Hindemith's Quartet No. 3 in C Major and Haydn's Quartet in G Major, respectively) and as one (Mendelssohn's Octet in E-flat Major). This is a great opportunity to catch two of the nation's top string quartets in one place. Sept. 29. $35-$75. Spivey Hall, 2000 Clayton State Blvd, Morrow. 678-466-4200, www.clayton.edu/spiveyhall
Atlanta Opera. The first offering in the Atlanta Opera's 40th season may be the least well known work about a supremely well-known artist. "Frida," composed in 1991 by Robert Xavier Rodríguez, traces the story of artist Frida Kahlo, focusing on her marriage to Diego Rivera. The story, sung in Spanish and English, uses puppetry as a narrative device and mariachi music, ragtime and jazz as accompaniment. Oct. 5-13. $28-$68. Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. 404-881-8885, www.atlantaopera.org
Brad Mehldau and Ian Bostridge. Brad Mehldau is a superlative jazz pianist who peppers the standard jazz canon with an eclectic repertoire. The pianist has collaborated with everyone from bluegrass mandolinist Chris Thile to soprano Renee Fleming. His latest pairing aligns him with tenor Ian Bostridge for an original cycle of songs, "The Folly of Desire." This unique concert at Emory University is not to be missed. Oct. 18. $55. Emerson Concert Hall, 1700 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta. 404-727.5050, arts.emory.edu
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. In November, music director Robert Spano will conduct eight principal vocalists, the glee clubs from Morehouse and Spelman colleges, the Gwinnett Young Singers and the ASO orchestra and chorus in an ambitious performance of Mahler's staggering "Symphony of a Thousand," marking the orchestra's completion of the Mahler symphony cycle. Is the Symphony Hall stage large enough? Nov. 14 and 16. $22-$98. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St., Atanta. 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org
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